The Masters 2022 (BBC / Eurosport)

Genghis · 09-01-2022 11:24am #1

The Masters starts today, although non ranking / invitational it carries huge kudos (second only, imho, to the World's) and has a huge prize pot (£725k, £250k to winner).

Here are the first round matches, QFs will be Thurs / Fri, Semis on Saturday and Final Sunday. Final best of 19, all other matches best of 11.

Sunday 9th January

13:00 - Yan Bingtao v Mark Williams

19:00 - Neil Robertson v Anthony McGill

Monday 10th January

13:00 - John Higgins v Zhao Xintong

19:00 - Shaun Murphy v Barry Hawkins

Tuesday 11th January

13:00 - Ronnie O'Sullivan v Jack Lisowski

19:00 - Mark Selby v Stephen Maguire

Wednesday 12th January

13:00 - Judd Trump v Mark Allen

19:00 - Kyren Wilson v Stuart Bingham

Trump appears favourite at 7/2, Ronnie and Robertson next at 11/2, then Selby 6/1, Higgins 11/1. Current champ Yan Bingtao 20/1. Would be very unsure where to put my money, my heart is with Ronnie.

On BBC, including red button and iPlayer and on Eurosport (full live coverage).

Have to say, am looking forward to this!

The Nal · 09-01-2022 11:27am

Love the Masters. Heavyweight matches every day.

waynescales1 · 09-01-2022 4:18pm

They’d want to calm down with these statistics. Those statistic graphics that are superimposed onto the table mid frame need to go immediately.

DelBoy Trotter · 09-01-2022 7:55pm

Very caging opening two frames this evening

gormdubhgorm · 09-01-2022 8:05pm

This Robertson v McGill game not the same quality so far - as that Yan v Williams game earlier. But has a nervy tense atmosphere about it.

I am enjoying the use of that overhead camera. Can't remember seeing that used as much before. Fair play whoever the director is for that anyway.

gormdubhgorm · 09-01-2022 8:08pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118444558#Comment_118444558

There was one that made me laugh Yan going for simple blue in the middle earlier today. Then a stat pops up 19/19. Which the person on commentary explained meant he potted 19/19 blues in the middle pocket.

gormdubhgorm · 09-01-2022 8:15pm

Century for McGill third frame. No ball potted for Robertson for about 20 minutes.

2-1 McGill.

Sandor Clegane · 09-01-2022 8:33pm

Robbo not at the races so far, McGill needs to make it count now.

Neil could be a different player after the interval.

DelBoy Trotter · 09-01-2022 8:36pm

Robertson will be delighted for it to be 2-2 at the interval

gormdubhgorm · 09-01-2022 8:37pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118446088#Comment_118446088

A bit blessed to be going in 2-2 now. McGill unlucky to have broken down when it looked like 3-1.

Sandor Clegane · 09-01-2022 8:49pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118446116#Comment_118446116

McGill had plenty of chances to kill it off and wasn't able, McGill just lacks that bit of quality.

gormdubhgorm · 09-01-2022 9:25pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118446186#Comment_118446186

Looks like it is panning out that way now - unless all that messing about replacing the balls distracts Robertson a bit - makes him lose focus.

Strumms · 09-01-2022 9:52pm

Some amount of gobshîtes in the crowd, very annoying for the players and obviously the referee, you don’t often hear a referee needing to be threatening to remove people having the ability to see the remainder of the match like happened there.

Genghis · 09-01-2022 9:53pm

That red. Robbo not on form at all. Possibly bored. A classic this is not.

DelBoy Trotter · 09-01-2022 9:53pm

This is dreadful stuff

waynescales1 · 09-01-2022 10:16pm

Few bowzies from the darts still left in the Ally Pally.

Strumms · 09-01-2022 10:27pm

some total gimps in the crowd alright.

some really loose snooker being played.

Sandor Clegane · 09-01-2022 10:51pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118446568#Comment_118446568

If there this bad now imagine what they'll be like when Ronnie is playing.

ArmaniJeanss · 10-01-2022 9:44am

It's kind of a throwback Masters audience - back in the 80s/90s at the old Conference Centre it was always very rowdy, partisan and errr drunk.

The Nal · 10-01-2022 9:51am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118447927#Comment_118447927

Back when you could smoke at your seat. Just stab the ciggy out in the little ashtray on the back of the seat in front.

Sandor Clegane · 10-01-2022 3:05pm

Higgins on fire so far, watching him like this you realize he really is one of the all time greats.

Definitely in the top three of greatest players imo.

ArmaniJeanss · 10-01-2022 3:10pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118450072#Comment_118450072

Out of interest, which of Davis, Hendry and O'Sullivan do you put him ahead of?

The Nal · 10-01-2022 3:42pm

Going to be Higgins vs Williams then it seems. Cracker.

Sandor Clegane · 10-01-2022 4:48pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118450110#Comment_118450110

Davis...by Davis own admission he played in a much much weaker era and the standard was no where near what it is today, there is a good interview with him and Ronnie and O Sullivan points out he was beating people, 10-0, 9-0 consistently in major events, he had no real competition in his hay day.

I'd have it Ronnie, Hendry and Higgins.

The Nal · 10-01-2022 5:09pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118450734#Comment_118450734

Dunno. Jimmy White, Alex Higgins, Taylor, Thorburn, Parrott. He also got stuffed a few times himself. 9 nils and the like.

Genghis · 10-01-2022 5:16pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118450734#Comment_118450734

Would agree with you there, though some validity to the argument that Hendry achieved so much so quick and during a time when there was far less opportunity (fewer competitions, albeit also true a smaller number of quality players).

I feel the gap is currently closer between 1 and 2 (Ronnie and Hendry) than it is between 2 and 3 (Hendry and Higgins). Given he is still playing at a world class level, do you think Higgins could - over the years remaining to him - ever push Hendry into third?

Sandor Clegane · 10-01-2022 5:26pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118450854#Comment_118450854

All great players in their own right but come on, you have to admit the standard has improved so much from that time, plus the likes of Higgins l stood the test of time far better, pushing late 40's and still winning and challenging the top brass, I mean the pool of talent today is incredible and Higgins is still among the best of them.

DelBoy Trotter · 10-01-2022 9:02pm

That’s two frames Murphy has thrown away so far. He could be 4-1 up rather than 3-2 down

suspiciousMind · 10-01-2022 9:22pm

Easy knowing a few in the crowd have a few gargles on them

extra-ordinary_ · 10-01-2022 9:26pm

Barry plays a great shot with the rest into the pack...it was in Ken's favourite word, 'wonderful'!

11-01-2022 12:23am

^^^^^

Just watching highlights now on BBC2,, savage shot alright that one,,

As far as what Ken's favourite word is; likely 'commentary' , 'gigs' , and 'money'..

Wonder will The Spaceman get more commentating jobs when (if) he retires.. The most erudite and knowledgeable of the professional snooker players, when he gets a shift behind the mike.. Ken's voice would grate on ya, so it would 😃

HeidiHeidi · 11-01-2022 12:26am

Watching the highlights as well.... "prolific" seems to be Ken's word of the day for me!

But I'd listen to that referee calling numbers all day long, I just love her accent (o/t I know).

AyeGer · 11-01-2022 12:31am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118446848#Comment_118446848

Thankfully Ronnie is on in the afternoon tomorrow, he seems to attract some noisy fans. It would be worse in the evening if they had a drink or 2 in them.

11-01-2022 12:42am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118453358#Comment_118453358

Nowt wrong with liking Desi 😊 All them Eastern European female refs are a welcome addition to the sport imo 😁

The Nal · 11-01-2022 9:29am

Murphy looks very heavy again. Sluggish around the table and can't help with his neck and shoulder issues.

HeidiHeidi · 11-01-2022 10:46am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118453972#Comment_118453972

I was thinking that - and John Higgins only saying after his match how losing some weight and getting fitter had helped his game so much.

kirk. · 11-01-2022 10:48am

Interesting when the fitness issue came up here in the past some posters were adamant it made no difference in John Higgins case and he has now confirmed it 100% makes a difference

HeidiHeidi · 11-01-2022 10:51am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118454375#Comment_118454375

It'd have to - if only in simple stamina for standing/walking for lengthy periods alone! Standing/slow walking is waaaay more tiring than speed walking in a straight line.

The Nal · 11-01-2022 11:00am

Even getting up and down on shots, reaching for shots etc.

Jimmy Whites game went in the bin as soon as he put on a few lbs in his mid 30s.

kirk. · 11-01-2022 11:48am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118454385#Comment_118454385

I just thought it interesting because posters were comparing snooker to darts and were adamant what difference did fitness make

Seemed obvious to me

Take something as sedentary as doing a theory exam fitness will improve concentration thought even without physicality involved

The Nal · 11-01-2022 1:43pm

Game on. Delighted for Jack. Hopefully that'll settle him down. Couple of great shots in that century.

gormdubhgorm · 11-01-2022 1:59pm

3rd frame green miss from Lisowski reminded me why he annoys me. Poor concentration, carelessness out of no where.

waynescales1 · 11-01-2022 2:10pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118454375#Comment_118454375

When Higgins lost in the WC last year he said he had breathing problems during the match cos of his weight.

DelBoy Trotter · 11-01-2022 2:34pm

Can’t see Ronnie losing this from here, he looks in total control

Arthur Daley · 11-01-2022 2:41pm

40 years ago today that Steve made the first televised maximum and got a £2,499 Lada for his troubles.

Last three shots were really good under the pressure at the time, after he lost position from Brown to Blue. He said today it was a kick, with the old chalk, certainly he got little action out of the white.

Genghis · 11-01-2022 2:51pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118455751#Comment_118455751

6-1 written all over imo. Lisowskis green cost him the match as it not only gave Ronnie a second chance at frame 3, Ronnie clicked into gear on that visit to the table and has been almost flawless since. Jack needed to get 3-1 by interval and I think would have if he had got the green.

PS you can always tell if Ronnie is on form by the state of his hair. Tidy and short = up for it.

The Nal · 11-01-2022 2:53pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118455800#Comment_118455800

His only maxi?!

gormdubhgorm · 11-01-2022 2:55pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118455530#Comment_118455530

Interesting that you say that because I was thinking the only time Higgins looks vulnerable is when he looks physically/mentally tired towards the end longer matches. Blood shot eyes red faced etc.