World Grand Prix, 13-19 December, Coventry Arena

Joe_ Public · 13-12-2021 4:53pm #1

After a morning and afternoon off, it's back to the grindstone with the year ending World Grand Prix and a welcome return to our screens of the excellent Jill Douglas and the rest of the itv crew which seems to be basically the eurosport crew with hendry thrown in for good measure.

Judd is defending champion but only 13th seed this year which gives an indication of how relatively quiet his season has been thus far. Zhao Xintong, after a welcome week off, is first up as top seed against Martin Gould. MJW also back after taking the week off and could be a good match up with lisowski, assuming both bring their form to the table.

Joe_ Public · 13-12-2021 4:59pm

Full draw and schedule:

Monday December 13

7pm

Zhao Xintong v Martin Gould

Yan Bingtao v Mark King followed by

Mark Williams v Jack Lisowski

Kyren Wilson v Anthony Hamilton

Tuesday December 14

1pm

Mark Selby v Barry Hawkins

Ricky Walden v Stuart Bingham

followed by

John Higgins v Tom Ford

David Gilbert v Ali Carter

7pm

Judd Trump v Ben Woollaston

Anthony McGill v Stephen Maguire

followed by

Neil Robertson v Noppon Saengkham

Mark Allen v Cao Yupeng

Wednesday December 15

1pm

Ronnie O’Sullivan v Andy Hicks

Gary Wilson v Hossein Vafaei

followed by

Luca Brecel v Jordan Brown

Jimmy Robertson v Matthew Selt

13-12-2021 6:45pm

Predict for the craic - Gould , Yan , MJW and Wilson..

Joe_ Public · 13-12-2021 7:09pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118316644#Comment_118316644

Probably go with that. Interesting to see how Zhao goes with a bit more focus on him but Gould not been too shabby of late and could be in for the win. If Willo over his covid related fatigue, should get enough chances from Jack to clinch it.

13-12-2021 7:47pm

A poor opening TV frame there, which lasts 33 minutes, and eventually goes to Zhao... Low scoring, and Zhao not firing.. Both players missed plenty, with Gould's misses looking far worse/ragged, with many not even threatening the pockets.. A bit of luck from Gould insured his misses could rarely be punished, but it ran out eventually..

One amazing 'single ball pot' from Zhao in opener, but alas the white screwed in to yellow pocket.. In fairness to Gould, he's had one or two crackers, not least the opening red in frame 2.. Looks a case of Gould needs to up his game in order to win, as Zhao not on top form, but, and perhaps it's his new cue; Gould is really all over the place from a positional sense.

Nonetheless, he's in early again, is Martin, by dint of getting a good snooker early in frame 2.

13-12-2021 7:49pm

And, just as I posted, he's ran out of position 😋

Safety battle atm,,

eric hoone · 13-12-2021 8:11pm

The week off might have benefitted zhao

13-12-2021 8:28pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118317020#Comment_118317020

Not looking like it early doors - he's just 'not quite settled' yet 😊 Still winning the match though, but not showing the form on display from his UK victory..

Gouldy's playing a bit better, which could well be enough to see him win.. Zhao missing pots at an unexpected rate, and Martin's knocking enough decent starters in.. Is in control in frame 4, and Gould should really level up here...

I think Gould will win, as Zhao just can't find that recent form..

Sandor Clegane · 13-12-2021 8:48pm

Stephen Hendry is right, winning a big tournament doesn't mean you'll automatically go on to be a serial winner, plenty of people win one offs, no guarantee Zhao is going to go on and be a regular winner, same for Yan, he's yet to kick on from his masters win and that was a year ago.

It also has to be said that Zhao did next to nothing before his UK win.

I like Hendry's commentating, he's honest and realistic where as Eurosport can get a bit carried away.

13-12-2021 8:57pm

Hendry is brutally honest in commentary anyway, .. On two occasions he was particularly scathing of Gould; that red from baulk to plant it on to a red over bottom bag, being the most recent 😂

Joe_ Public · 13-12-2021 9:04pm

Amazing to think Yan is all of 3 years younger than Zhao, just he made breakthrough that bit earlier and Zhao barely looks a day over 16! Would be a good chinese rivalry should it develop. I'm inclined to favour Yans more rounded game, can see it being much more suited to the unique demands of the crucible set up. Zhao can definitely improve his all round skills though so could be some epic encounters to look forward to in future years.

13-12-2021 9:14pm

Hendry was extremely complimentary towards Gould on two occasions in quick succession, a few shots back.. "Well played Martin Gould - well played indeed" , he just said.... He definitely 'redressed the balance' there with his words 😋

WD Gouldy! Zhou not at the races at all.. apart from that century he got..

13-12-2021 9:29pm

Fouldsy: "We certainly couldn't have predicted that result" ... Me and Joe did 😁

Not entirely dissimilar to what they call in horse racing terms, "The 'bounce' Factor"

I dismissed my own chances of picking any winners in tonight's snooker matches when I were in bookies earlier, so that's a slight negative 😃

MJW and Lisowski looks the most interesting of tonight's 4 ties, for a variety of reasons..... hope it's a good one... Yan well ahead in frame 5 against King, so that could be a 4-1 victory to regain some Chinese honour 😊

Joe_ Public · 13-12-2021 9:41pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118317376#Comment_118317376

Didn't look at betting earlier but hardly the shock of the century I'd say! Also, bit different when the crowd knows you and expects you to win. He has to deal with that too, whereas bit of a freebie for gouldy.

Went for willo here but with caveat of assuming he's over his recent health troubles.

Arthur Daley · 13-12-2021 9:56pm

Was checking out the rankings update earlier. Jordan Browne at 28 is now higher ranked than Ding Junhui in the 29th spot, as Ding's 2019 UK win fell away.

13-12-2021 10:16pm

Can't even remember what the prices were... had a quick look, and nothing stood out.. late in the day (too late) when I decided to have an opinion...

I doubt there's many matches where the outsider is >2/1 , as combination of best of 7, plus top 32 players... Different in Home Nations where 128 take part, and a lot of supposed 'no-hopers' up against 'heavyweights'

Might look at Dave's odds outright tomorrow.. atm I like, for tomorrow's matches, Selby , Ricky , Higgins and Gilbert..

13-12-2021 10:45pm

Was thinking the exact same thing as Fouldsy there haha 😊 After he potted last red, Mark took a yella, and then he walked half around the table, as if he was setting himself up for the green,,, he doubled back then 😃 2 apiece - nicely balanced this match.. Unlike the other, where t'Sheriff is 2-0 up against the higher ranked of the Wilsons..

Joe_ Public · 13-12-2021 11:26pm

Liked how he took those. Quite measured, never rushed himself as he's sometimes prone to do. Maybe this will be Jack's week after the couple of breakthroughs we've witnessed past couple of weeks. Long way to go but good opening statement there anyway. Willo no excuses, had his chance but it was to be jacks night.

Pussyhands · 13-12-2021 11:30pm

Zhao lost to Gould? Another false dawn after the fawning over him the other day.

Joe_ Public · 13-12-2021 11:34pm

Dunno, which is worse, fawning over him after a huge win or pretty much writing him off after one defeat. Two sides of the same coin really.

eric hoone · 13-12-2021 11:59pm

How did Lisowski close out the match? My recording ended at 3-3

14-12-2021 12:42am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118318014#Comment_118318014

With an excellent break of 90 odd - can't remember how he got in, or if it was from a Williams' mistake, but a great break with lots of pressure pots... Willo was in first in that frame, but could only amass about 30 points,,

Joe_ Public · 14-12-2021 1:55pm

Over 45 minutes of toil and effort, some really solid safety, and then Barry goes and misses an absolute sitter of a pink with frame at his mercy. Do well to recover from that early seismic blow.

eric hoone · 14-12-2021 6:01pm

The results so far show the depth in the top 32, anyone can beat anyone it seems

14-12-2021 8:33pm

Poor Ben - felt he had to go for that red; having 'won' the safety battle, but now it looks very short odds Trump's going to win his 2nd on the spin, to pull 3-2 ahead...

waynescales1 · 14-12-2021 8:44pm

Yer man absolutely sweltering in his Christmas snooker jumper.

14-12-2021 8:55pm

That's the pity of watching on ITV - can't rewind ☹️.. I want another look at the chap now 😂

waynescales1 · 14-12-2021 8:59pm

Trump playing his rest shots with his right. If I tried to play a rest shot with my weaker arm I’d tear the cloth.

Rothko · 14-12-2021 9:43pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118322450#Comment_118322450

He's actually right handed but for some reason plays most shots left-handed. I think Barry Hawkins is the same.

Joe_ Public · 15-12-2021 2:44pm

Well, poor Andy Hicks, only had around the 4 chances to win most of those frames. Ronnie was bad but opponent definitely dragged him down from what I saw. Will play Vafaie if latter finishes it out against cabbie Wilson on the other table. Would be interesting match after the recent German Masters whitewash.

Joe_ Public · 15-12-2021 2:52pm

And Vafaei closes it out. Another very good, confident performance. Ronnie will still be warm favourite but will have to seriously up his game from today.

15-12-2021 3:31pm

Luca going for a max! 10 reds and 10 blacks down - looking good here...

15-12-2021 3:34pm

Played to move one from close to a cushion (should have left it where it was)... Break ends on 88 - wins the frame though, and goes 3-0 up

waynescales1 · 15-12-2021 3:43pm

Brecel v Trump, with both players in good form, when it happens, is gonna be some match.

Joe_ Public · 15-12-2021 8:05pm

Good to see Tom Ford making a match of this. Good player when he can summon a bit of belief in himself.

waynescales1 · 15-12-2021 8:38pm

What a miss by Ford, baffling.

waynescales1 · 15-12-2021 8:45pm

Oh that is so bad by Ford, misses the green by a mile and hits the black, 7 foul points instead of 4.

eric hoone · 15-12-2021 8:47pm

Decider, kind of fancy Ford the way the balls are rolling

Joe_ Public · 15-12-2021 8:50pm

Could never trust Ford, but Trump has been very slack so may well get a decent chance or two to clinch it.

eric hoone · 15-12-2021 8:57pm

Ford just hasn't got the killer instinct

waynescales1 · 15-12-2021 8:59pm

That’s a scandalous miss on the black.

Joe_ Public · 15-12-2021 9:12pm

Took his chance in the end, finally. Judds run of patchy form continues.

Joe_ Public · 15-12-2021 9:24pm

Other than Dave Gilbert, i can't think of any player more likely to be interviewed after beating two of the world top 5 and make it sound like he lost both matches than Tom Ford. Forget the quality mate, you should be absolutely buzzing.

waynescales1 · 15-12-2021 10:39pm

Looks like Mark Allen has been practicing the “Chinese Snooker”.

Sandor Clegane · 15-12-2021 11:53pm

Selby just too strong for Allen.

I can't see Ford winning this one.

Joe_ Public · 16-12-2021 1:23pm

One or two alarm signals from Ronnie there. Safety seems to be getting looser and looser this past while.

Joe_ Public · 16-12-2021 2:04pm

Strange enough match, ronnie not fully firing but leads. Vafaei trying to keep it tight and tactical but not sure that really suits him.

Joe_ Public · 16-12-2021 2:30pm

After a dicey start, ronnie stamped his authority on it quite emphatically. Brecel needs one more to beat Jimmy Robertson to set up a qf v ronnie which would be a pretty tantalising prospect right now.

Sandor Clegane · 16-12-2021 2:32pm

The ability to make chances out of nothing is amazing, then all of a sudden its frame over.

Sandor Clegane · 16-12-2021 2:54pm

Could we finally be seeing the end of O Sullivan?

You can only get so far on talent and if you aren't willing to put the work in then you're going to fall short no matter who you are.

I mean its understandable that the hunger to practice would wane after being so long in the game, that coupled with the fact that you're going to be in a bit of decline at 46 anyway regardless.

Personally I think if his dry spell continues he may actually pack it in, Ronnie wants to be a winner and if he's not winning I can't see him going on too long more, he doesn't want to take part and have fun, he wants to be winning events.

Joe_ Public · 16-12-2021 3:29pm

I don't know the answer but he has been repeatedly saying - to the point of irritation - that he doesn't care about winning anymore, he just wants to turn up and enjoy it, see how far he goes. Now, how much of that is purely Steve Peters-influenced mental kidology, I've no idea tbh. I do personally think he wants to win can still be a force, at least reach finals and possibly win an odd one, for another 3-4 years anyway. But up to him whether he wants to keep doing it or not, haven't seen anything that would lead me to suspect he's likely to step away from the game imminently, but you never know with him i suppose.

World Grand Prix, 13-19 December, Coventry Arena

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