snooker world championship final

no wonder theres been so many centuries if the pockets are oversized!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/36174937

ding has to win it now. has to.

if it's Ding v. Fu, deciding frame, that could be 35 x TON UP!

Expect Selby to win - a better break builder than McManus with as good a safety game.

Ding is a great break builder but not as complete match player as Selby - Selby would need to severely under perform for Ding to win this.

Wonder what the worldwide (i.e. China) viewing figures for Ding v. Fu would have been?

Solid comeback by Ding

Such a quality frame - Ding was 71 ahead, failed to put away a red that would've meant the end of it.

Selby then gets a sweet long red. Now 35 points and one snooker later, one snooker to go - very much on.

Nearly 70 mins in the end for Ding to get the blue and pink.

Selby didn't win it but this is top match play snooker from Selby. Ding was on a run of heavy scoring so we'll see what that has done to Ding. Two frames left tonight.

This was incredible safety play.

Its totally paid off - Ding looks shot.

10-7. Very weird end last night - everyone rather be in bed. That's the players, audience - both in there and at home.

Selby's brill match play drained us all, gets him a three frame lead which Ding will have to muster seven-century snooker to overcome.

Since when did they start playing 9-frame evening sessions in the final? Actually, I can remember them doing 7+9 (wasn't Taylor 0-7 vs Davis in '85 after the afternoon?), but not 8+9. Seems a bit harsh on Ding who could have had a night's rest at 7-9.

I was wondering about that - last session is usually too long so maybe reducing it might be a good idea.

I hate Selby's attritional play more than Ebdon's or Higgins' or any other "scrape him off the table" grinding wanker.

^^^

disspiriting match so far

worse than Ebdon?! That's cold!

why is he so fucking sad???!?!??!

has he just realised that life is meaningless or something

2017, from what I've seen so far:

- Higgins looks like he's BACK BABY and in the easier half of the draw (that 58 break, taking adv of a kick when Allen was about to make it 10-9 gave flashbacks from before the time he got corrupt). LOL it was funny Parrott talking up any strength in that half for Hendry to basically go 'u mad'. Doesn't mince words and he never talks anything up.
- Ronnie is looking good, enjoyed how he despatched that piece of thrash Murphy yesterday.
- That upper half is tough tho'. You'd say Selby or O'Sullivan to come through.
- I can't see O'Sullivan beating either Selby or Higgins in a final, they are the two players who play the kind of game that throws Ronnie off (as I might have discussed this over the years).

:-(

a strong ding is a strong championship, every legend fades

Ding-Selby is a terrific match, maybe better than their final...Ding is scoring heavier but unfortunately can't quite close the two-frame gap. He was about to square but missed the opportunity and Selby nailed him to the cross: 12-10

12-12. This is a great, great response by Ding. Could be the making of a World Champion.

His 13th century of the tournament, his nearest is on six.

Can't see the final session tomorrow afternoon :-(

boo @ bbc's foreigner-excluding red button thing though. i hate having to watch via eurosport.

This final is going to be 17-17, isn't it?

Those fuckin intros

selby vs higgins will kill the sport

actually nah, not if selby fuckin thrashes him

Has Gary Barlow come along to support his mate DJ Steve

Hendry's theory -- that he had too much respect for "The Master" -- on Higgins' lead was utter bollocks. It seemed pretty clear that Selby was feeling the after-effects of a marathon against Ding. It usually happens that one or both arrive at the final fatigued. That usually goes by Day 2 of the final but its then all about how big the gap is and how strong your mind is. Its a supreme test and there is v little like it in most other sports.

Higgins isn't quite in that break-building class these days and that missed pink at 10-4 up finally switched Selby on and he was utterly dominant to win the last three frames and session. I agree with Hendry that Selby is slight favourite.

I really wish the final was available to stream in the US.

This Selby dude is annoyingly persistent and also quite good, isn't he?

unless he's playing higgins in which case may he slay, may he rend

oh why won't he fuck off

that feels a bit mean-spirited of me now, especially how he was kicking himself over his various misses when ahead. aw but not wanting higgins to win is a national pastime by now

there is something about selby that is very unlikeable. I don't know what it is though

hes a professional snooker player

Ronnie one away from equalling Davis' six UK titles.

Puts so much pressure on Murphy. Break after break. Relentless.

Also to be playing like this in his early 40s. That's what's most impressive. Davis and Hendry were pretty much through by then.

We'll miss when he is gone, y'all.

otm

and they're off!

Yes, Selby out and Ronnie through!

a thing we can agree on

G'wan Ronnie

Shaun Murphy is out too thank fuck

i feel softer towards him as he's a good sport, but yeah

back to disagreeing then. 100% joy at seeing this fucker go just now.

Agreed. xp

In 2018 snooker is in dire need of a new Alex Higgins or Jimmy White, though. Ronnie alone can't save us from the dullness. It'd be too much to ask.