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?

[CaledonianCraig]

And misses a red in the centre pocket. Selby's chance now.

[temporary21]

Marks chance now

[temporary21]

No dice. Another round of safety

[CaledonianCraig]

Selby only puts 12 points on the board but loose safety from Ding and Selby left with a tricky long pot.

[CaledonianCraig]

Back into a bout of safety. Who cracks first?

[CaledonianCraig]

Superb safety shot from Ding. Selby in a spot of bother here.

[CaledonianCraig]

And a chance for Ding.

[CaledonianCraig]

Ooooh costly miss on the blue. Selby left an easy opener. Is that it all over?

[temporary21]

Massive chance for mark now

[CaledonianCraig]

Selby edging closer to the final.

[CaledonianCraig]

Mark Selby books his place in the World Final with a 17-15 win over Ding Junhui. Got to feel for Ding. Mark held himself together very well though to reach his fourth world final in five years. A great acheivement that.

[CaledonianCraig]

Selby's reaction I think tells us what I was thinking. This was a dorme final as can't see Higgins (on showing against Hawkins) troubling him.

[temporary21]

There it is. Great match

[CaledonianCraig]

There it is. Great match

Indeed it was - it had everything. Great pots, centuries, fantastic safety exchanges and a tight finish. A Crucible classic.

[CaledonianCraig]

A break of 120 gets John Higgins into the final in style. He beats Barry Hawkins 17-8. He'll have to raise his game back up to the levels he reached against Mark Allen to give Mark Selby something to think about. Safety exchanges should be enthralling but I can't see beyong Selby winning by something like 18-10.

[Taylorman]

A break of 120 gets John Higgins into the final in style. He beats Barry Hawkins 17-8. He'll have to raise his game back up to the levels he reached against Mark Allen to give Mark Selby something to think about. Safety exchanges should be enthralling but I can't see beyong Selby winning by something like 18-10.

Yes agree with that. Selby always had the answers when it counted. Dings confidence was always going to be an issue and I think not rolling the final blue confirmed that but he's getting stronger and would probably be unbeatable if no one is watching but there you go.

Selby to win in a canter. Higgins isnt quite the player he was but will count on experience and big pressure shots if he's to win this, but it appears Selby covers both those pretty well himself.

[CaledonianCraig]

A break of 120 gets John Higgins into the final in style. He beats Barry Hawkins 17-8. He'll have to raise his game back up to the levels he reached against Mark Allen to give Mark Selby something to think about. Safety exchanges should be enthralling but I can't see beyong Selby winning by something like 18-10.

Yes agree with that. Selby always had the answers when it counted. Dings confidence was always going to be an issue and I think not rolling the final blue confirmed that but he's getting stronger and would probably be unbeatable if no one is watching but there you go.

Selby to win in a canter. Higgins isnt quite the player he was but will count on experience and big pressure shots if he's to win this, but it appears Selby covers both those pretty well himself.

Yes its a shame its not Selby (peak) V Higgins (peak). That would have been very interesting. Hopefully, it can be a close, tense match but I have my doubts.

[CaledonianCraig]

So the 2017 World Final about to get underway. Selby a hot favourite so it is important in this session that Higgins manages to stay close either sharing the frames or narrowly behind (at worst).

[CaledonianCraig]

Selby capitalises on a loose safety shot from Higgins and takes the opening frame.

[CaledonianCraig]

Higgins needs this frame.

[CaledonianCraig]

Finally, at about the third chance, Higgins takes the frame and its 1-1.

[CaledonianCraig]

Higgins still missing too many chances. Selby in again and looks set to go 2-1 up.

[CaledonianCraig]

And Selby does lead 2-1.

[CaledonianCraig]

Higgins in first in the 4th frame and I agree with Hendry. Needs to polish these chances off in one go.

[CaledonianCraig]

And Higgins seals the frame with a superb clearance of 141 and he goes into the mid-session interval at 2-2.

[CaledonianCraig]

Higgins in again and building a useful lead.

[CaledonianCraig]

He breaks down on 63 so the frame still not safe.

[CaledonianCraig]

And Higgins mops up the 5th frame and goes into the lead for the first time - 3-2.

[CaledonianCraig]

Well this wasn't on the script. Higgins with a break of 95 goes into a 4-2 lead. This was the form he displayed against Mark Allen.

[CaledonianCraig]

Selby in with a very good chance to seal the frame here and pull one back.

[CaledonianCraig]

Selby misses and leaves a red over the pocket. Can Higgins capitalize?

[CaledonianCraig]

Answer is no. He misses a black off the spot and this frame looks sure to head the way of Mark Selby.

[temporary21]

If mark can recover to 4-4 that would be a huge resukt

[CaledonianCraig]

What a steal from Higgins. Superb clearance of 54 to pinch the frame and now leads 5-2.

[CaledonianCraig]

Poor break-off from Selby and Higgins is in again.

[temporary21]

No. Johns starting to miss. Selby must make him pay now
His job is to get out of the day 8-8

[CaledonianCraig]

Higgins in again and on a break. This could be 6-2 shortly.

[CaledonianCraig]

But out of position.

[CaledonianCraig]

Another cracking pressure break and barring snookers Higgins will take a 6-2 lead into this evening's session.

[CaledonianCraig]

And it is Higgins who takes a 6-2 lead into the evening's session. Big surprise.

[temporary21]

Well 7-9 the minimum now for selby

[CaledonianCraig]

Selby hits a lovely break to reduce the arrears to 6-3.

[hogey]

Come on Selby, cant stomach the idea of a man who should have been banned for life lifting the trophy for the 5th time.

[Guest]

Selby having a mare. Agree, can't stand that cheat Higgins.

[temporary21]

Selby looks done to me. This might be a thrashing

[Guest]

The Ding semi drained Selby. He's had a tough draw & looks mentally shot. Damage limitation tonight for Selby

[temporary21]

8-3

Game well over

[temporary21]

This is as poor a safety as I've ever seen almost anyone play

He almost needs to bang the table and get his frustration out

[temporary21]

A miss from john. Amazing. He's been a terminator today

Last chance saloon for mark

[Guest]

Come on Selby, cant stomach the idea of a man who should have been banned for life lifting the trophy for the 5th time.

This. Selby has drifted out to 12/5 with the bookies. Time to get on, John.

Not a massive snooker fan myself but always try to watch the final. Except when this to$$er is playing.

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