2019 World Snooker Championship (Mod Note Post One)

waynescales1

Couldn’t support Higgins. Agreeing to get involved in match-fixing. Seems to be forgotten about by most people but his reputation will always be damaged for me.

Shame because I think he’s perhaps 3rd greatest of all time I think.

Exclamation Marc

mewso wrote: »

Yeah not sure if it's worth the risk of booking hotel etc. just to end up standing outside by the rope watching Davis and Parrot chat to Hazel. Oh well always next year.

Crucible Theatre are always getting returns so ring just past 10am in the mornings and they may have some.

Farawayhome

waynescales1 wrote: »

Couldn’t support Higgins. Agreeing to get involved in match-fixing. Seems to be forgotten about by most people but his reputation will always be damaged for me.

Shame because I think he’s perhaps 3rd greatest of all time I think.

It just goes to show how mud sticks. Higgins entered that meeting thinking it was about a huge sponsorship deal. This has been confirmed by everybody including the news of the world. He was set up and said anything to get out of the meeting. He should have reported it but he did no wrong.

martyos121

Murphy very much on a 147 here and he asks for the partition to come down (won’t happen of course). An absolute class act, hope he makes it now!

martyos121

Ah it wasn’t to be. Would’ve loved to see him pull that off, played a few great shots in that break.

Nation 98

martyos121 wrote: »

An absolute class act,

Except when his opponent forgets his chalk.

mdwexford

Quality session of snooker, 4 centuries and both players in excellent form.

Was a right buzz in the arena for the 147 attempt. Would have been a real bucket list moment seeing a max at the Crucible.

eric hoone

Nation 98 wrote: »

Except when his opponent forgets his chalk.

What happened there?

AllForIt

Well I totally agree with Hendry, I can't believe Murphy asked for the screen to be lifted as nice a gesture as it was. And he should have snicked in that red when he had the chance which was the one he eventually missed, I feel anyway. Maybe it was a bit too acute.

Anyway glad to see Robertson isn't running away with this match, 5 - 3 is a scoreline Murphy will be happy enough with.

Joe_ Public

Evalyn Ripe Canvas wrote: »

Higgins looks so worn out to me. He's got incredibly pale, gray, and tired. It's hard to believe he's only 43 — he could easily pass for 55. I'm just not sure after losing two finals on the trot whether he still has the will to win another WC. I'd like to believe he's a contender, but if he gets past Bingham in the second round (which he probably will, given how terribly Bingham is playing) he will have to face Robertson or Murphy in the quarterfinals, and that will be a real test.

I've heard this said about higgins for years, yet he was the one who finished the semi-final last year looking like he could go another session while the young pup Kyren Wilson was talking about mental exhaustion. This is higgins stage and i am absolutely as certain as i can be that stamina, mental or otherwise, will not prove his downfall. Fair point about losing the two finals, though. Hard to say what kind of scars those defeats leave, plus he also has to bear the considerable burden of carrying a wedge of my hard-earned!

Joe_ Public

AllForIt wrote: »

Well I totally agree with Hendry, I can't believe Murphy asked for the screen to be lifted as nice a gesture as it was. And he should have snicked in that red when he had the chance which was the one he eventually missed, I feel anyway. Maybe it was a bit too acute.

Anyway glad to see Robertson isn't running away with this match, 5 - 3 is a scoreline Murphy will be happy enough with.

Does show how much he's changed as an individual i think, would never have dreamed of doing that 5 or 10 years ago. I think he's desperate for people to like him these days and i dont mean that in a bad or disrespectful way. Probably shouldnt have done it, but not sure it made a whole lot of difference in the end anyway. That red was always tricky no matter how he approached it.

waynescales1

13 reds in, asks for the screen to be raised, madness. Have to stay in the zone there.

AllForIt

Those watching on Eurosport - who's that commentating with Hallet ? The Wilson match. Can't for the life of me figure out who it is.

vkus6mt3y8zg2q

AllForIt wrote: »

Those watching on Eurosport - who's that commentating with Hallet ? The Wilson match. Can't for the life of me figure out who it is.

Not sure but hes very irritating whoever he is

sligeach

Cecilia Sticky Okra wrote: »

Not sure but hes very irritating whoever he is

Must be Ronnie O'Sullivan.

zuutroy

It's Michael Holt and he's with Dave Hendon not Hallett.

eric hoone

zuutroy wrote: »

It's Michael Holt and he's with Dave Hendon not Hallett.

Agree he's very annoyingly a heavy breather. Not funny at all I always thought he was a bit of a character

This is it

Wilson seems to have a very strange cue action on some shots. When he draws back the last time before striking he seems to hold for an age and kind of jerks at it

melon_collie

This is it wrote: »

Wilson seems to have a very strange cue action on some shots. When he draws back the last time before striking he seems to hold for an age and kind of jerks at it

The coaches will tell you that it is best to have a pause at the end of the draw back before slowly accelerating the cue forward to strike the ball.

Joe_ Public

Lot of players do that, though Kyrens does seem a bit more pronounced than most. I dont know what other players think of it, but do recall Judd slagging him about his cue action when they were having a few verbals last year. Mind you, trumps cue action not exactly out of the text book either when you think about it!

liamoreilly

...Looking ahead to next year already!...I'll be trying again to get tickets for the semi finals, or finals, or if miracles happen both of next years Crucible...
...Was looking at the ticket prices, and it doesn't give any prices for full day tickets, just for individual sessions...Would anyone know if they are an option to buy...I was able to get full day tickets to next Year's masters semi final and final...

Exclamation Marc

That shot by Wilson holding the rest in the air was incredibly ballsy.

[url]

https://twitter.com/WorldSnooker/status/1121523223865073666?s=19[/url]

Selby absolute blew that final frame.

Deserved 5-3 lead for Wilson.

mdwexford

liamoreilly wrote: »

...Looking ahead to next year already!...I'll be trying again to get tickets for the semi finals, or finals, or if miracles happen both of next years Crucible...
...Was looking at the ticket prices, and it doesn't give any prices for full day tickets, just for individual sessions...Would anyone know if they are an option to buy...I was able to get full day tickets to next Year's masters semi final and final...

No day tickets, session by session only.

Selby v Wilson was interesting enough.
Wilson probably deserved a lead all in all, definitely had the run of the balls though. Selby needs to up it a bit but I’d expect him to tomorrow.

Ultimate Seduction

Disappointed not to have watched one frame yet this year due to work and other commitments. Really looking forward to lodging on the couch for the weekend.

What time is Wilson Selby continuing tomorrow?

Lavinia

10am

ArmaniJeanss

Morning.
Murphy 3 - Robbo 5. Session 2.
Maguire - Cahill. Start.

Afternoon.
Selby 3 - Wilson 5. Session 2.
Gilbert - Williams. Start.

Evening.
Maguire - Cahill. Session 2.
Murphy - Robbo. To a finish.

xi5yvm0owc1s2b

Lavinia wrote: »

10am

No, Wilson and Selby resume at 2:30 pm today.

xi5yvm0owc1s2b

Amazing steal there from Robertson after Murphy went 66 ahead with 67 left on the table.

Joe_ Public

Class from robertson there but thats the third frame murphys lost this mornign that he really should have won. Had robbo a bit under the cosh there, but didnt push it through. If he could keep it 7-9 i think we could be in for an interesting final session, assuming robertson doesnt pick up his level to where it was in Round 1.

xi5yvm0owc1s2b

Crazy session this between Murphy and Robertson. So many of the frames could have gone either way. But it's 9-6 to Robertson now with one frame left.

Maguire leads Cahill 5-3 after their first session this morning.

The Nal

That was criminal from Murphy there, leaving the red over the middle and not getting the white behind the black.

Muppet Man

Murphy just not looking like a winner here at all. Hope he gets into it next session. Would like to see them both play to their potential.

xi5yvm0owc1s2b

I felt Murphy had to get out of today at 8-8 to have a fighting chance. Can't see him doing it now from 10-6 behind, with Robertson needing just three more frames.

Pighead

Robertson playing really well. Rightfully the favourite to win it outright now.

AllForIt

Murphy in the studio mid match discussing it with Davis and Hazel. NEVER seen that before. Don't know if it's a good idea, just seems wrong somehow.

Pity he couldn't pull back to 9 - 7 going into tonights final session. Seems something of a formality now but who knows.

Lavinia

Evalyn Ripe Canvas wrote: »

No, Wilson and Selby resume at 2:30 pm today.

he asked for tomorrow

eric hoone

What is Murphy doing on the analyst couch in between sessions? Can't help his chances tonight

spurshero

Very suprised as well . Was amazed yesterday when he was on for 147 that he wanted the screen put up . Not sure it helped his concentration as he chose the wrong shot after that . Anyway I think he will have plenty time for analyst chair after tonight

Inviere

waynescales1 wrote: »

Couldn’t support Higgins. Agreeing to get involved in match-fixing. Seems to be forgotten about by most people but his reputation will always be damaged for me.

Shame because I think he’s perhaps 3rd greatest of all time I think.

News of the World reader? Read up on the actual facts of the incident, you might be surprised with the differences between them and the ragged tabloid narrative.

Nation 98 wrote: »

Except when his opponent forgets his chalk.

Could be worse, he could have held a mic on his crotch and asked a female Chinese press girl if she wanted “a nosh”, like the revered Ronnie O’Sullivan did a few years back. A real class act. Not that I dislike Ronnie, but let’s be honest, that chalk thing was a minor mistake on Sean’s part, one which he undoubtedly regrets. Players have done much worse.

liamoreilly

...Sean Murphy still in the studio...Very bizarre way of prepping for final session...

gormdubhgorm

Inviere wrote: »

That chalk thing was a minor mistake on Sean’s part, one which he undoubtedly regrets. Players have done much worse.

Shaun Murphy seems a bit of hypocrite to me.
On the one hand there is the 'Holy Shaun' persona

https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2005/29-july/features/shaun-murphy-snooker-world-champion

The type of fella who raises the screen during a 147 attempt for the benefit of others.

But then there is the other-side is his wife filed for divorce after he had spent the night with an escort girl he had met at a religious youth group!

https://web.archive.org/web/20100526095612/http://www.people.co.uk/news/tm_headline%3Dsnooker-hero-murphy-and-pound-100-escort%26method%3Dfull%26objectid%3D21328337%26siteid%3D93463-name_page.html

There are two ways of looking at Murphy lifting the screen think was it for the fans benefit or was it just Murphy just trying to further the 'nice guy' and what a great fella he is? A PR job.

To me I think it is the later, but maybe I am just cynical.

Edit: As another poster said he loves talking in the studio. He even was talking in studio mid match!
That is in furtherance of the creation of the persona, and let's Murphy pontificate away to his hearts content.

All this 'lifting the screen' craic and talking mid session etc, has made me more irked by Shaun Murphy than I was before. Robertson hammering him would not even stop him appearing on screen. As no doubt the would still turn up in studio saying all the things he thinks people want to hear in studio. Without actually giving his real thoughts.

The Nal

gormdubhgorm wrote: »

Shaun Murphy seems a bit of hypocrite to me.
On the one hand there is the 'Holy Shaun' persona

https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2005/29-july/features/shaun-murphy-snooker-world-champion

The type of fella who raises the screen during a 147 attempt for the benefit of others.

But then there is the other-side is his wife filed for divorce after he had spent the night with an escort girl he had met at a religious youth group!

https://web.archive.org/web/20100526095612/http://www.people.co.uk/news/tm_headline%3Dsnooker-hero-murphy-and-pound-100-escort%26method%3Dfull%26objectid%3D21328337%26siteid%3D93463-name_page.html

There are two ways of looking at Murphy lifting the screen think was it for the fans benefit or was it just Murphy just trying to further the 'nice guy' and what a great fella he is? A PR job.

To me I think it is the later, but maybe I am just cynical.

You are being cynical. Even the article states "Their romp came after he walked out on Clare".

So he broke up with his missus and then slept with someone else.

What a monster!

Fúcks sake.

gormdubhgorm

The Nal wrote: »

You are being cynical. Even the article states "Their romp came after he walked out on Clare".

So he broke up with his missus and then slept with someone else.

What a monster!

Fúcks sake.

That is not the point a fella that goes around with the holy christian spiel would not have done so. As he had not yet divorced Clare.
You cannot have it both ways the guy is a hypocrite and seems way to calculating for my liking.
The lifting the screen stunt is a great example - he thinks 'how will this look for me on TV etc.' Then can say 'I did it for the fans as I thought it would be a nice gesture etc'

As I said maybe I am cynical but I can't stomach the fella. Even though he is a great snooker player/style wise etc. His persona he tries to create is too much for me.

sliabh 1956

I noticed something I had n't seen before I spotted Selby and Williams having a quite word with their opponents during the match . Is this a common thing

gormdubhgorm

sliabh 1956 wrote: »

I noticed something I had n't seen before I spotted Selby and Williams having a quite word with their opponents during the match . Is this a common thing

Not really, But both Selby and Williams are laid back type of characters.
Williams in particular. Some of the more 'intense' players would deliberately blank thier opponent completely at the other end of the spectrum.

The Nal

gormdubhgorm wrote: »

That is not the point a fella that goes around with the holy christian spiel would not have done so.

Does he go around with the holy christian spiel though?

sliabh 1956

Yeah I never seen Ronnie do it

gormdubhgorm

The Nal wrote: »

Does he go around with the holy christian spiel though?

Ah he does there are plenty of interviews where he goes on about his faith.
As far as I am concerned a person can do what they like in thier private life.
But it is the hypocrisy that annoys me.

Plus he was going on about another snooker player can't remember which. One of the more 'controversial types'.
It was one of those bits where they look at the pros and cons of other players and assess them.
Murphy's advice was to player 'toe the party line' and say as little of substance as possible.

But I got the impression that Murphy lives by that mantra.
So I always get the feeling he is holding back on what he really thinks.

xi5yvm0owc1s2b

Gary Wilson maintains his lead over Selby at 9-7, despite Selby going 7-6 ahead at one point.

xi5yvm0owc1s2b

gormdubhgorm wrote: »

Ah he does there are plenty of interviews where he goes on about his faith.

Maybe it's just me, but I haven't heard Murphy say anything about his faith in years. It seemed to be much more important to him when he was younger -- I think he even met his first wife on some kind of faith-based dating site.

His second wife (from Dublin) does describe herself on her Twitter profile as "passionately anti-abortion," but whether that's a religious conviction or not, I don't know.