Monday, 14 January 2013
Sunday, 13 January 2013
You beauty
A passionate Neil Robertson shouted "you beauty" as he sunk match ball to beat Ding Junhui 6-5 in a dramatic Masters opener at the Alexanadra Palace.
That shows just how much this means to him.
The defending champion found himself 5-3 down against Ding, who was mixing hard matchplay snooker with his trademark brilliant breakbuilding.
He was asked to dig deep and, once again, delivered the goods under the pressure. This is one of the Aussie's finest qualities.
It's a mark of how difficult a tournament the Masters is to win that only three players have ever managed to defend the title; Paul Hunter was the last in 2002.
Robertson faces a hard task to follow in his footsteps, but has shown on his first outing that he is more than capable.
He has overcome a very tough first hurdle, seems to be able to produce in London and definitely isn't lacking in the desire and determination departments.
Robertson has just had the first word. It's up to the rest of the field to respond and show they want this trophy as much as he does.
Summing up of the first day of action at the Masters wouldn't be complete without a mention for Mark Allen.
The Northern Ireland man put in a top class performance to defeat Mark Davis 6-2. He was quick, clinical and flamboyant, at times as he made light work of a match in tournament where every match is difficult.
Tenacious Allen has the flair that epitomises the Masters. His fearlessness is the exact kind of quality required to triumph in an event so strong. He said after his win that he still has a lot of improving to do, which would have made for ominous listening for the rest of the players.
Every time I watch him play he looks like he is getting closer to winning one of the biggest titles. Could it be his week in London?
 |
| Picture by Monique Limbos |
The defending champion found himself 5-3 down against Ding, who was mixing hard matchplay snooker with his trademark brilliant breakbuilding.
He was asked to dig deep and, once again, delivered the goods under the pressure. This is one of the Aussie's finest qualities.
It's a mark of how difficult a tournament the Masters is to win that only three players have ever managed to defend the title; Paul Hunter was the last in 2002.
Robertson faces a hard task to follow in his footsteps, but has shown on his first outing that he is more than capable.
He has overcome a very tough first hurdle, seems to be able to produce in London and definitely isn't lacking in the desire and determination departments.
Robertson has just had the first word. It's up to the rest of the field to respond and show they want this trophy as much as he does.
Summing up of the first day of action at the Masters wouldn't be complete without a mention for Mark Allen.
The Northern Ireland man put in a top class performance to defeat Mark Davis 6-2. He was quick, clinical and flamboyant, at times as he made light work of a match in tournament where every match is difficult.
Tenacious Allen has the flair that epitomises the Masters. His fearlessness is the exact kind of quality required to triumph in an event so strong. He said after his win that he still has a lot of improving to do, which would have made for ominous listening for the rest of the players.
Every time I watch him play he looks like he is getting closer to winning one of the biggest titles. Could it be his week in London?
Friday, 11 January 2013
Masters step forward
The masters of our game are ready to fight it out again for one of snooker's real glory titles.
The appropriately named Masters event is all about history and prestige. Returning to Alexandra Palace this weekend for a second season, the line-up is, as always, packed with top stars.
With No easy path, an electric London atmosphere and the best players in the world waiting with every turn, we're in for treat.
The Masters - although not a ranking event - is one of those tournaments that really gets the juices flowing.
As well as a huge £175,000 top prize, next week is a chance for someone to stand up and be counted, claim a chapter of snooker history as their own and join a list of winners boasting all the greats.
In fact, six of this year's 16-man field have already etched their name on the trophy.
Great players always win this great title. Every snooker fan remembers a golden moment from the Masters down the years. It's the longest running event on the calendar behind the World Championship and has produced some of snooker's most exciting memories.
What do you remember most fondly? It could be John Spencer's win against Ray Reardon at the first event in 1975 in the deciding frame. One of Alex Higgins' great performances?
It might be Cliff Thorburn winning three titles in four years from 1983 to 1986.
Maybe Stephen Hendry's five-year winning run from 1989 to 1993 ranks highest? Or when Alan McManus put a halt to his compatriot, beating him 9-8 in the 1994 final.
Then we had another classic in 1998. Mark Williams took down six-time winner Hendry on a respotted black.
Paul Hunter is synonymous with the Masters. He found domination between 2001 and 2004, winning three finals on deciding frames in four years.
John Higgins produced a masterful clearance to beat Ronnie O'Sullivan in 2006, who then reduced Ding Junhui to tears a year later with a 10-3 win masterclass.
One of the modern classics was Mark Selby beating Ronnie 10-9 from 9-6 down in 2010.
We really have seen it all at the Masters. And it's easy to see why the tournament is so popular. The competition will always be a hit with Londoners; it's the only time the sport comes vaguely near England's capital.
Us southerners love our snooker and Ally Pally has definitely given the Masters an extra edge. It's an absolutely unmissable BBC classic this year.
With a mouthwatering field of potential champions, the anticipation could hardly be greater. And how about this for a curtain-raiser? Defending champion Neil Robertson faces Ding Junhui first up on Sunday.
Enjoy the tournament.
The appropriately named Masters event is all about history and prestige. Returning to Alexandra Palace this weekend for a second season, the line-up is, as always, packed with top stars.With No easy path, an electric London atmosphere and the best players in the world waiting with every turn, we're in for treat.
The Masters - although not a ranking event - is one of those tournaments that really gets the juices flowing.
As well as a huge £175,000 top prize, next week is a chance for someone to stand up and be counted, claim a chapter of snooker history as their own and join a list of winners boasting all the greats.
In fact, six of this year's 16-man field have already etched their name on the trophy.
Great players always win this great title. Every snooker fan remembers a golden moment from the Masters down the years. It's the longest running event on the calendar behind the World Championship and has produced some of snooker's most exciting memories.
What do you remember most fondly? It could be John Spencer's win against Ray Reardon at the first event in 1975 in the deciding frame. One of Alex Higgins' great performances?
It might be Cliff Thorburn winning three titles in four years from 1983 to 1986.
Maybe Stephen Hendry's five-year winning run from 1989 to 1993 ranks highest? Or when Alan McManus put a halt to his compatriot, beating him 9-8 in the 1994 final.
Then we had another classic in 1998. Mark Williams took down six-time winner Hendry on a respotted black.
Paul Hunter is synonymous with the Masters. He found domination between 2001 and 2004, winning three finals on deciding frames in four years.
John Higgins produced a masterful clearance to beat Ronnie O'Sullivan in 2006, who then reduced Ding Junhui to tears a year later with a 10-3 win masterclass.
One of the modern classics was Mark Selby beating Ronnie 10-9 from 9-6 down in 2010.
We really have seen it all at the Masters. And it's easy to see why the tournament is so popular. The competition will always be a hit with Londoners; it's the only time the sport comes vaguely near England's capital.
Us southerners love our snooker and Ally Pally has definitely given the Masters an extra edge. It's an absolutely unmissable BBC classic this year.
With a mouthwatering field of potential champions, the anticipation could hardly be greater. And how about this for a curtain-raiser? Defending champion Neil Robertson faces Ding Junhui first up on Sunday.
Enjoy the tournament.
Thursday, 10 January 2013
Wednesday, 9 January 2013
Backed by the BBC
The BBC's decision to continue to broadcast snooker until 2017 means the game can continue to be viewed by the masses in the UK.
Today's announcement of a three-year contract extension should be greeted with cheer because it continues to give our beloved game mainstream attention.
A large majority of snooker fans in the UK watch the sport on a part-time basis and when the majors - the World Championship, UK Championship and The Masters - are broadcast by the BBC.
People like me who follow all the events, including the PTCs and qualifiers and watch the ever-moving world rankings with great interest, are a rare breed.
Even today, with snooker streamed online and showed on Eurosport most weeks, the BBC action is the backbone of the season for most fans.
That's why this deal is an absolutely massive boost for the sport.
It keeps up the momentum of Barry Hearn's rennovation work in snooker. The deal means the BBC is also saying that the recently announced flatter 128-man flatter structure isn't a dealbreaker when it comes to a major broadcaster.
The announcement also states that in 2014 there is an option to add a fourth event to the BBC roster. This signifies potential growth of the game in the UK, at a time when the majority of change has come for the rest of the world.
Today is a good day for the sport. It helps to keep snooker accessible in the country of its origin.
A large majority of snooker fans in the UK watch the sport on a part-time basis and when the majors - the World Championship, UK Championship and The Masters - are broadcast by the BBC.
People like me who follow all the events, including the PTCs and qualifiers and watch the ever-moving world rankings with great interest, are a rare breed.
Even today, with snooker streamed online and showed on Eurosport most weeks, the BBC action is the backbone of the season for most fans.
That's why this deal is an absolutely massive boost for the sport.
It keeps up the momentum of Barry Hearn's rennovation work in snooker. The deal means the BBC is also saying that the recently announced flatter 128-man flatter structure isn't a dealbreaker when it comes to a major broadcaster.
The announcement also states that in 2014 there is an option to add a fourth event to the BBC roster. This signifies potential growth of the game in the UK, at a time when the majority of change has come for the rest of the world.
Today is a good day for the sport. It helps to keep snooker accessible in the country of its origin.
Tuesday, 8 January 2013
Crondon critics
The Championship League is quick to be criticised.
For the past three years when the snooker roadshow has arrived at Crondon Park, in Essex, people have done their level best to belittle it.
There is no denying that since its launch back in 2008, its value has diminished, fuelled mainly by the vast changes to the sport and increased playing opportunities engineered by Barry Hearn.
There is so much snooker for the fans to watch and the players to compete in that the Championship League has been left behind a little - but let's not bash the event completely out of sight, because it still has many positives.
The series of two-day events run from January through until March.
The players couldn't be happier.
Next week, the top 16 will be playing for a £175,000 top prize at the Masters. This prepares them with great match practice against top class opposition.
And with the calendar packed until the very end of the season, these chances will keep on coming before other major events. Players don't get much time these days to practice on their game without the pressure of ranking points. The Championship League gives them this chance.
The positives don't stop there. The players are well paid for winning matches, can select which group the begin in and also have the chance to win a place in next season's prestigious Premier League.
This blog post is in no way groundbreaking. None of these arguments are new. But I thought it was worth writing a reminder, as the event has been subject to the same old negative press.
Group one concluded today. John Higgins emerged the winner and is first to qualify for the winners' group.
Ali Carter finished as runner-up. Martin Gould and Mark Davis were knocked out in the semi-finals and Judd Trump ended the group in 5th place. Those four come back tomorrow to compete in group two.
Stephen Maguire, Neil Robertson and Stuart Bingham will join up with the group, while Shaun Murphy and Matthew Stevens finished sixth and seventh in group one, and were eliminated.
Click here to see the the full format of the Championship League.
For the past three years when the snooker roadshow has arrived at Crondon Park, in Essex, people have done their level best to belittle it.
There is no denying that since its launch back in 2008, its value has diminished, fuelled mainly by the vast changes to the sport and increased playing opportunities engineered by Barry Hearn.There is so much snooker for the fans to watch and the players to compete in that the Championship League has been left behind a little - but let's not bash the event completely out of sight, because it still has many positives.
The series of two-day events run from January through until March.
The players couldn't be happier.
Next week, the top 16 will be playing for a £175,000 top prize at the Masters. This prepares them with great match practice against top class opposition.
And with the calendar packed until the very end of the season, these chances will keep on coming before other major events. Players don't get much time these days to practice on their game without the pressure of ranking points. The Championship League gives them this chance.
The positives don't stop there. The players are well paid for winning matches, can select which group the begin in and also have the chance to win a place in next season's prestigious Premier League.
This blog post is in no way groundbreaking. None of these arguments are new. But I thought it was worth writing a reminder, as the event has been subject to the same old negative press.
Group one concluded today. John Higgins emerged the winner and is first to qualify for the winners' group.
Ali Carter finished as runner-up. Martin Gould and Mark Davis were knocked out in the semi-finals and Judd Trump ended the group in 5th place. Those four come back tomorrow to compete in group two.
Stephen Maguire, Neil Robertson and Stuart Bingham will join up with the group, while Shaun Murphy and Matthew Stevens finished sixth and seventh in group one, and were eliminated.
Click here to see the the full format of the Championship League.
Sunday, 6 January 2013
Selby starts the year in style
World number one Mark Selby began 2013 in the same way he ended 2012 - with a trophy.
After finishing the year on a high with his capture of the UK Championship and a return to the top of the world rankings, big things are expected of fit-again Selby in 2013.
His 4-3 victory against Graeme Dott in the Munich Open final was the perfect start.
The win had an air of trademark Selby grit about it as he looks to have rekindled his winning instincts. Good safety play coupled with an ability to take the chances this creates has always been the backbone of his accomplished game. He is unlikely to drift from a formula that has always brought him great success.
A neck injury which derailed his charge for titles for a large chunk of 2012 is long in the past. It now looks like he's ready and raring to go to make this year really count.
This may go down as a great start for the Jester but it's also a fine finish as he wins the last PTC event of the season before the Grand Finals back in Galway in March.
You can't help but feel sorry for Dott in this match. He has yet to win a PTC event and looked almighty close when he led the match 3-2.
His run to the final is victory enough for Dott though I suspect who looked and sounded downtrodden after defeat to Shaun Murphy at the UK Championship in December.
Graeme perhaps hasn't capitalised on the volume of extra events in the past two years like some of the other top players around him. In fact, he's looked quite disillusioned with the game at times with the burden of so many events taking its toll.
Seeing a top player look so drained is never nice to see. His lack of enthusiasm to play has been plain for all to see at times. So, to start this calendar year with such a good run at least fuels some renewed belief that he can get himself back on track.
Selby isn't having any such trouble in the motivation department. In fact, his ability to play his best snooker at all events, big or small, is one of his finest qualities and the chief reason for his position as world number one.
Watch out. Selby could be winding up for a very big year.
After finishing the year on a high with his capture of the UK Championship and a return to the top of the world rankings, big things are expected of fit-again Selby in 2013.
His 4-3 victory against Graeme Dott in the Munich Open final was the perfect start.
 |
| Picture by Monique Limbos |
A neck injury which derailed his charge for titles for a large chunk of 2012 is long in the past. It now looks like he's ready and raring to go to make this year really count.
This may go down as a great start for the Jester but it's also a fine finish as he wins the last PTC event of the season before the Grand Finals back in Galway in March.
You can't help but feel sorry for Dott in this match. He has yet to win a PTC event and looked almighty close when he led the match 3-2.
His run to the final is victory enough for Dott though I suspect who looked and sounded downtrodden after defeat to Shaun Murphy at the UK Championship in December.
Graeme perhaps hasn't capitalised on the volume of extra events in the past two years like some of the other top players around him. In fact, he's looked quite disillusioned with the game at times with the burden of so many events taking its toll.
Seeing a top player look so drained is never nice to see. His lack of enthusiasm to play has been plain for all to see at times. So, to start this calendar year with such a good run at least fuels some renewed belief that he can get himself back on track.
Selby isn't having any such trouble in the motivation department. In fact, his ability to play his best snooker at all events, big or small, is one of his finest qualities and the chief reason for his position as world number one.
Watch out. Selby could be winding up for a very big year.
Wednesday, 2 January 2013
New year predictions
Another year of snooker is about to begin and what happens on the baize is likely to be as unpredictable as it was in 2012.
That doesn't stop us from looking into the crystal ball and taking a punt at what 2013 may hold.
Here are my predictions for the year ahead:
1. Judd Trump to become world champion
2. Jack Lisowski to break into the top 32 in the world
3. Ronnie O'Sullivan to play professional snooker again
4. Neil Robertson to win the most events
5. Mark Allen to go an entire year without any fines from World Snooker
6. Martin Gould to move back into the top 16
7. Shaun Murphy to win an event in China
8. Luca Brecel to reach the semi-finals of at least one ranking event
9. Thanawat Tirapongpaiboon to reach the last 16 of a main ranking event
10. Oliver Lines to qualify for the main tour via QSchool.
Agree? Disagree? Got some predictions of your own?
Share them with me by posting your comments below.
That doesn't stop us from looking into the crystal ball and taking a punt at what 2013 may hold.
Here are my predictions for the year ahead:
1. Judd Trump to become world champion
2. Jack Lisowski to break into the top 32 in the world
3. Ronnie O'Sullivan to play professional snooker again
4. Neil Robertson to win the most events
5. Mark Allen to go an entire year without any fines from World Snooker
6. Martin Gould to move back into the top 16
7. Shaun Murphy to win an event in China
8. Luca Brecel to reach the semi-finals of at least one ranking event
9. Thanawat Tirapongpaiboon to reach the last 16 of a main ranking event
10. Oliver Lines to qualify for the main tour via QSchool.
Agree? Disagree? Got some predictions of your own?
Share them with me by posting your comments below.
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