2017 and 2018 World Snooker Championship Thread

[CaledonianCraig]

First topic message reminder :

I am surprised no topic up here yet for the World Championship so here goes a few days too late.

Mark Selby looks like a good bet for a third world title. Where will the main challenge come from? Perhaps Judd Trump, John Higgins, Ding Junhui and Ronnie O'Sullivan.

Selby looked very good in his opening match as did Higgins. O'Sullivan's mental demons have resurfaced again in time for The Crucible and will need to improve to win again.

Thoughts?

[Beer]

Ronnie back to his fluent best, will take this, and the mini session 3-1 to trial 11-9.

[CaledonianCraig]

Fair play Ronnie. Liked that jokularity there. Good stuff. Ronnie needed that and got it. Ding will be beginning to sweat a bit now. Ding leads 11-9 at mid-session with Ronnie getting a 146.

[CaledonianCraig]

On the other table Maguire in with a good chance to win the next frame and pull this back to 6-5.

[temporary21]

That's the minimum both men required

[CaledonianCraig]

And Maguire seals it and he is right back in this as he trails Barry Hawkins 6-5.

[CaledonianCraig]

Mark Selby will be watching with his feet up. Whoever wins will have went to the well to get the win whilst he has finished a session early. And if Ding is drawn into another 13-12 match and wins that surely is mighty draining playing two such matches back-to-back.

[temporary21]

Oh is it first to 14? I've fouled up...

[CaledonianCraig]

Oh is it first to 14? I've fouled up...

A typo on my behalf temporary I meant 13-12 (and have corrected it).

[CaledonianCraig]

Stephen Maguire edges his way towards parity.

[CaledonianCraig]

The Hawk in with a chance for a steal. Boy would this be a big steal.

[CaledonianCraig]

And its not to be. Maguire levels at 6-6.

[CaledonianCraig]

Ding is presented with a golden chance and holds himself together to take the frame and move to within one frame of a semi-final spot. He now leads 12-9

[temporary21]

Ding will be 1 away noe

[CaledonianCraig]

First chance in thew next frame goes to Ding.

[CaledonianCraig]

Solid stuff from Ding. He is staying mentally strong and edging to victory.

[CaledonianCraig]

Bad split off the pack and Ronnie has one last chance.

[CaledonianCraig]

And Ronnie is still alive. Great back that to pinch the frame. Ding leads 12-10 still.

[temporary21]

O sullivan hangs on

[CaledonianCraig]

The Hawk edges back into the lead on the other table. He leads 7-6.

[CaledonianCraig]

Ding in first again.

[CaledonianCraig]

Only 16 points there though before playing safe.

[CaledonianCraig]

Cracking pot from Ding and he is in again.

[CaledonianCraig]

Ding moving towards the semis.

[CaledonianCraig]

And Ding seals a 13-10 win to reach the semis. Ronnie exits at the QF's.

[temporary21]

That'll. be it. Must be said some huge inner strength from ding

He's saved something fr selby

[CaledonianCraig]

His mentally was questioned but he came through the test nicely as he closes out the match with a century.

[CaledonianCraig]

Credit to Ronnie. Lovely touch at the end there.

[temporary21]

Some real grace from Ronnie. Nice touch

[CaledonianCraig]

Now can this finally be Ding's year?

[CaledonianCraig]

Meanwhile, The Hawk is beginning to take-off again as he goes into an 8-6 lead.

[CaledonianCraig]

Hawkins in again and could be 9-6 in the next few minutes.

[CaledonianCraig]

Hawkins still warm favourite to go 9-6 up. I think Maguire has to win at least one of these last two frames. If he goes into tonight's session 10-6 behind I see no way back for him.

[CaledonianCraig]

Massive frame this. Hawkins looked warm favourite to go 9-6 up but Maguire back in with a shout.

[CaledonianCraig]

That was a big steal. Maguire pinches the frame and is back to just one frame behind at 8-7.

[CaledonianCraig]

And Maguire in again with a great chance to level it up at 8-8 going into this evening's session. He'll kick himself if he doesn't win this frame now.

[CaledonianCraig]

Maguire breaks down and this frame is in the balance again.

[CaledonianCraig]

And The Hawk is the one who gets the next chance and looks certain to end the session leading 9-7.

[CaledonianCraig]

And Hawkins leads 9-7.

[CaledonianCraig]

So the semi-final line-up is taking shape.

Mark Selby (ENG) V Ding Junhui (CHN)

John Higgins (SCO) V Barry Hawkins (ENG) or Stephen Maguire (SCO)

[temporary21]

I'm a fool to rule out Higgins. I feel the winner though is quite likely to come from that first semi

[CaledonianCraig]

Warm favourite for the title has to be Selby and you kind of feel Ding may suffer from two long matches back-to-back. How will the rejuvenated Higgins cope with a higher standard should he reach the final and will his consistency hold up?

[CaledonianCraig]

Hawkins and Maguire about to resume only an hour and a quarter after their session finished this afternoon. Hawkins leads 9-7.

[CaledonianCraig]

Very good start from Stephen Maguire. A total clearance of 135 sees him seal the first frame of the final session. Hawkins leads 9-8.

[CaledonianCraig]

Hawkins missing chances and Maguire is in with a good chance here to put a lot of points on the board.

[CaledonianCraig]

Maguire looking the stronger of the two at this time and is now level at 9-9. Hawkins will need to start taking these chances.

[CaledonianCraig]

A fluke helps The Hawk. Can he take advantage?

[CaledonianCraig]

Doing well here is The Hawk.Looking good to win this frame in one visit to go into a 10-9 lead.

[CaledonianCraig]

Barry Hawkins leads 10-9 after a total clearance of 126 - the second of tonight.

[CaledonianCraig]

Maguire now missing too many chances and Hawkins looks sure to go into the mid-session interval 11-9 up.

[CaledonianCraig]

This is getting nervy. Hawkins breaks down and Maguire now in with another chance but he gets a hideous kick and that stops the red ball on the lip of the pocket.

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