World Snooker Championship

[Beagle]

The champion Kyren Wilson is out on day one.

[Jakubclaret]

Some good matches so far still plenty of distance to go & some without much crucible experience. I was impressed with Chris wakelin earlier.

[Jakubclaret]

Think Jackson page should have automatically qualified for 2 maximums in 1 match it'll be a long time before we see that again.

[Gp8419]

Think Jackson page should have automatically qualified for 2 maximums in 1 match it'll be a long time before we see that again.

I doubt he is to down page, he got £147k + 15k for top break if no one gets one now. No one else will get two so that 147k is safe. Joe O’Connor who beat page fancy to do well. I think Ali carter will bear Ronnie.

[Jakubclaret]

I doubt he is to down page, he got £147k + 15k for top break if no one gets one now. No one else will get two so that 147k is safe. Joe O’Connor who beat page fancy to do well. I think Ali carter will bear Ronnie.

I said that because in the past they've thrown the whirlwind wildcards when he's fallen down the rankings you just include another another player to make it an even number. I wouldn't exclude O'Connor who beat page fair & square.

[Beagle]

Hawkins out to Vafaie, Robertson out to Wakelin yesterday. Two bigger names gone but Williams is through. John Higgins 5-4 down to Joe O’Connor now, the latter’s second time at the Worlds.

[Jakubclaret]

I doubt he is to down page, he got £147k + 15k for top break if no one gets one now. No one else will get two so that 147k is safe. Joe O’Connor who beat page fancy to do well. I think Ali carter will bear Ronnie.

The class of 92 are still proving strong a plucky effort by O'Connor who we'll see again no doubt as with some others who are still developing the crucible slightly too early. Ronnie yet to feature not that he's got anything to prove.

[mikeS]

Tuesday sees Ronnie O'Sullivan start his campaign.

[Rowls]

Cracking game in the final frame between two stalwarts.

Currently 12-12 between Williams and Higgins.

Gripping stuff

[Roosterbooster]

Ronnie through. I'm not sure he's started trying yet

But I think Judd Trump is still favourite

[ClaretOfMancunia]

With the way Luca Brecel was playing, I thought he'd be at least making it to the semis, if not the final. Judd Trump is simply too consistent though, ended up wiping the floor with him in the later stages of their match-up.

I think we'll be seeing a Xintong v Trump final, unless Ronnie feels like he can be bothered playing to his ability.

[ArmchairDetective]

Judd is my favourite to win the thing based on what I've seen. Not seen much of Xintong though.

[Dyched]

With the way Luca Brecel was playing, I thought he'd be at least making it to the semis, if not the final. Judd Trump is simply too consistent though, ended up wiping the floor with him in the later stages of their match-up.

I think we'll be seeing a Xintong v Trump final, unless Ronnie feels like he can be bothered playing to his ability.

Ronnie enjoys missing easy shots on purpose so he can have a little whinge afterwards. He gets more out of it than playing well and winning. Some of his missed this week have been a joke.

[Jakubclaret]

Ronnie enjoys missing easy shots on purpose so he can have a little whinge afterwards. He gets more out of it than playing well and winning. Some of his missed this week have been a joke.

I don't think anybody's been missing them on purpose the standard is that good if you miss it could be frame over. People have been missing shots purely down to the pressure knowing that they could be leaving the door open.

[Swizzlestick]

Ronnie enjoys missing easy shots on purpose so he can have a little whinge afterwards. He gets more out of it than playing well and winning. Some of his missed this week have been a joke.

Ronnie's whining can be irritating but I highly doubt a seven time WC winner is missing shots on purpose.

[Goliath]

To be fair Ronnie is right. He isn't anywhere near the player he was in terms of fluency most of the time. He's still good enough to beat the majority but I can understand his frustration.

On the other hand there's probably a bit of a psychological element where he's trying to put all the pressure on the opponent which probably comes from Steve Peters.

[claretonthecoast1882]

Caught the last 2 frames of the Trump / Brecel afternoon session and was hopeful Brecel wuld continue with his form but by all accounts was nowhere near that level in the evening session.

For some reason that I can't explain I just can't take to Trump and despite being brilliant I just don't enjoy watching him and I can't think why just something about him.

Ronnie has looked scratchy every game I have seen of his this tournament be a tough ask for that to continue and win it. Williams winning it would be good.

[Jakubclaret]

Caught the last 2 frames of the Trump / Brecel afternoon session and was hopeful Brecel wuld continue with his form but by all accounts was nowhere near that level in the evening session.

For some reason that I can't explain I just can't take to Trump and despite being brilliant I just don't enjoy watching him and I can't think why just something about him.

Ronnie has looked scratchy every game I have seen of his this tournament be a tough ask for that to continue and win it. Williams winning it would be good.

"Williams winning it would be good" you ain't kidding considering the problems he's having with his eyes. I think it would give Stevie wonder some sort of hope.

[claretonthecoast1882]

"Williams winning it would be good" you ain't kidding considering the problems he's having with his eyes. I think it would give Stevie wonder some sort of hope.

And me

[Goliath]

"Williams winning it would be good" you ain't kidding considering the problems he's having with his eyes. I think it would give Stevie wonder some sort of hope.

He's really milking the eye issues. He's got to a world championship semi whilst claiming he can't see. Waffle

[Jakubclaret]

He's really milking the eye issues. He's got to a world championship semi whilst claiming he can't see. Waffle

We'll find out soon enough he's meant to be having surgery to correct his eye issues.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/snooker/artic ... 71vv1o.amp

[tally]

All mind games for the media to pick up on ...part of the crucible show but I still enjoy it.

[Tackler49]

I really enjoy watching the snooker but some of the commentators i find really annoying they are telling you what shot they should be playing and how to play it they can even tell you what the players are thinking don’t they realise it’s called teleVISION and we see what is happening so i sometimes turn the sound down

[Jakubclaret]

I really enjoy watching the snooker but some of the commentators i find really annoying they are telling you what shot they should be playing and how to play it they can even tell you what the players are thinking don’t they realise it’s called teleVISION and we see what is happening so i sometimes turn the sound down

I agree. In some ways it'll be a godsend when it's all over if I have to listen to john virgo or dennis taylor again it'll be a day too soon.

[Swizzlestick]

I really enjoy watching the snooker but some of the commentators i find really annoying they are telling you what shot they should be playing and how to play it they can even tell you what the players are thinking don’t they realise it’s called teleVISION and we see what is happening so i sometimes turn the sound down

John Virgo is awful for this. Compounded by the fact he often gets it wrong. He seems to have been on commentary a lot more this year, and I really don't know why, especially when you'd think somebody like Stephen Hendry or Steve Davis would be on more.

[ClaretOfMancunia]

I think we'll be seeing a Xintong v Trump final, unless Ronnie feels like he can be bothered playing to his ability.

I'm standing by this! Glad I put a bet on Xintong at 3:1 to beat Ronnie. Just hoping he doesn't start trying again.

[claretonthecoast1882]

Not sure anyone had Ronnie down to lose the session 8-0 before it began

[Bosscat]

Not sure anyone had Ronnie down to lose the session 8-0 before it began

I think Ronnie did ... his body language hasn't been great

[Dressinggown]

Trump looking solid at the moment but I'm still hoping that the old, blind, Welsh bloke can produce an upset.

[Beagle]

John Virgo is awful for this. Compounded by the fact he often gets it wrong. He seems to have been on commentary a lot more this year, and I really don't know why, especially when you'd think somebody like Stephen Hendry or Steve Davis would be on more.

Interesting that Davis, Hendry and (the far less impressive) Parrot and Murphy do punditry and comms; Taylor and Virgo only seem to do comms. Possibly why we hear so much of them.

[Bosscat]

Trump looking solid at the moment but I'm still hoping that the old, blind, Welsh bloke can produce an upset.

The "Old Blind Welsh Bloke" is having a cracking afternoon 8-8 now

[JohnMcGreal]

Say what you like about Virgo but he's still good for a classic 'where's the cue ball going?!' when the cue ball is clearly not going into a pocket.

Timeless.

[jdrobbo]

Zhao Xintong is an incredible talent. Outstanding against an out of form, O’Sullivan.

[Rileybobs]

The pundits kept banging on about how well Ronnie cut that blue in with his left hand, but Xintong has been knocking them in like that for the past couple of weeks.

[Beagle]

The pundits kept banging on about how well Ronnie cut that blue in with his left hand, but Xintong has been knocking them in like that for the past couple of weeks.

I really think Xintong is the next big thing, and Ronnie being out of form (in every sense) shouldn’t take away from that fact. This guy is special

[Claret Alfie]

Xintong was brilliant yesterday. BBC needs to drop the amateur narrative though since he is in no way shape or form an amateur. It’s only a few years ago since he won the UK Championship.

[Bosscat]

Well done Mark Williams ... best of luck v Xintong tomorrow

[Beagle]

Fantastic from Williams. This could be a great final.

[TheFamilyCat]

I thought the BBC were binning Virgo off.

[Beagle]

Fantastic final. Good for Zhao, Williams made him work for it in the end.

[jdrobbo]

Great to have a new winner. Williams was never going to win that after the penultimate session, but he certainly gave it a good go and gave the final session-paying supporters get some value.

[fidelcastro]

Great to have a new winner. Williams was never going to win that after the penultimate session, but he certainly gave it a good go and gave the final session-paying supporters get some value.

Wasn't that new winner done for match fixing a while back?

He won't be a popular winner in the British Isles, but I doubt he'll care having just won the trophy and half a million quid!

[JohnMcGreal]

Wasn't that new winner done for match fixing a while back?

He won't be a popular winner in the British Isles, but I doubt he'll care having just won the trophy and half a million quid!

I don't think he was involved in any match fixing himself but he was banned for having knowledge about it on the circuit and not reporting it?

[fidelcastro]

I don't think he was involved in any match fixing himself but he was banned for having knowledge about it on the circuit and not reporting it?

I think that's correct. It doesn't make me warm to him any more though.

[Bin Ont Turf]

A nice fella and a brilliant player, but it's the beginning of the end of snooker for us.

The Chinese invasion has begun and it'll become like the Premier League in football. Distant, boring and characterless.

[claret wizard]

We won’t have to worry about it soon, Hearn will have it in Saudi or China if Sheffield Council don’t commit to build at 5000 auditorium in the next 3 months.

[BurnleyFC]

A fantastic talent who’s had an impeccable tournament. Well done, Zhao Xintong.

I find it odd how the winner still ‘only’ gets £500K, though, considering the winner of the darts gets £1m as of next year.

There needs to be at least parity in snooker. Perhaps Ronnie was right about Barry Hearn.

[Gp8419]

A nice fella and a brilliant player, but it's the beginning of the end of snooker for us.

The Chinese invasion has begun and it'll become like the Premier League in football. Distant, boring and characterless.

There is plenty of them on the tour now, but I’ve been largely unimpressed how elite they are. Till zintong of course he was superb. But there hardly cleaning up the likes of Wilson and trump with the old codgers are still cleaning up. They seem to be much of a muchness the other Chinese boys.

[ArmchairDetective]

It's a shame Williams didn't get just one or two more frames in the previous sessions because I think he'd have really made a go of a comeback the way he was playing in that final session. Unfortunately with Xintong needing just one frame it was pretty much one mistake and you're out for Williams.

Xintong was a worthy winner. All credit to him. Enjoyed his interview at the end as well. Certainly one to watch going forward.

[Folkestoneclaret]

Wasn't it the Goons who did the Xingtong song?