randam05 wrote:I did not know this was the situation, fair enough and yes I will give a second opinion after the event as I am prejudging what could be a fantastic thing here.
But I still agree with a lot of what you said. Okay, they didn't get rid of the Grand Prix to spite fans, they did it due to pressure from the BBC. But I still think the World Open would've fit in better in say, November as a non-ranking event, with the Grand Prix in it's traditional format. That may not be possible, but we should mistake; "Barry Hearn doing this out of necessity" as the same thing as "We've all got to be happy that this is the way it has happened." If the Grand Prix made a come back next year, and the World Open was a November Non-Ranker then I think the majority of us would be
The best of five isn't necessarily my cup of tea either, to be honest. Which is part of the reason I think it should definately be non-ranking. And I think all the talk of it being "fast and furious" sounds a bit naff. Obviously somebody could come out a rack up three centuries, the match finishes 3-0 in less then an hour. I think this is Barry Hearn's preference, but it's not mine. That to me would be more "quick and inconsequential" rather then "fast and furious." It won't seperate the men from the boys, if one of the men doesn't get a chance at a break. Best of nines are alright? But in a final?
At least one of the following two things has to happen to make it more acceptable, in my eyes. One, no ranking points for this tournament. Two, make matches at least best of 9 all the way through, preferably with at least a best of 11 final as well.
