Dafabet Masters Round 1 : Neil Robertson v Mark Allen

I'd be a tad happier if Allen won this match to be fair, he's a due a good run in one of these big tournaments, hasn't had one since his UK Champs final.

Robbo's pot success in the 70s!

GJ wrote:great safety from WN1

I must have missed that. I just saw Robbo rolling up to the reds and making a complete mess of it.

Good yellow.

Bad black. I think Allen has to take this frame if he wants to win, because if Robbo somehow gets out 2-2 it could spur him on after the MSI.

Funny that the best matches on paper have been somewhat flat, while other matches like Mavis v Selby that seemed straightforward have been pretty dramatic.

Appalling standard of play from both players.

Milkins could have beaten either of these two.

Bad match this. Had high expdctations but its a let down so far. Allen playing his B game and Robertson playing his C game...

Robbo somehow gets level at the MSI. Hopefully they'll both improve now.

Allen

Robertson flat and uninspired, very fortunate to not be behind.

Allen for me has pretty much lost this match.

badly needed that frame, Robbo playing his C or D game even manages to draw level.

It will have to be a super Allen now I think to win it, as Robbo almost always comes back stronger after the MSI, especially after this result.

Not guaranteed. I remember thinking that Robbo would up a gear at some point in his match against Milkins and that didn't happen.

Robbo is spot on, Judd has lost his fear and scare factor he had against his opponents, and that may be one of the reasons for his recent results.

Robbo does talk a lot of sense in his interviews, love hearing him.

Hendry not turned up today?

Looks like Steve's not noticed Barry's already in the top8.

I agree with Skullman, no guarantees Robbo will find his A game after the interval, Allen is looking the better player right now.

I agree with Skullman, no guarantees Robbo will find his A game after the interval, Allen is looking the better player right now.

Very poor standard but Allen takes it 3-2

3-2 Allen.

Robbo really not looking with it.

Allen 3-2 up, but still I think Neil will spark at some moment in this match.

Robertson with his worst performance since that Crucible last 32 against Milkins

Andre147 PGC wrote:Allen 3-2 up, but still I think Neil will spark at some moment in this match.

Not so sure. Maybe he'll improve if he's with his back against the wall but at the moment it's not looking good.

I rarely agree with Virgo, but I agree that Robbo plays better when he's quick and thinking too much drags him down.

That's better from Neil

This is Robbo's first 50+ break of the match. Might be a sign of him finally clicking.

Skullman wrote:I rarely agree with Virgo, but I agree that Robbo plays better when he's quick and thinking too much drags him down.

Yeah, I think so too, he beat Selby by playing quick attacking snooker in the UK

How will Allen respond?

Snooker Overdrive wrote:

Skullman wrote:I rarely agree with Virgo, but I agree that Robbo plays better when he's quick and thinking too much drags him down.

Yeah, I think so too, he beat Selby by playing quick attacking snooker in the UK

And he lost the Masters final and went 5-1 down in the UK when the pace was much slower.

Snooker Overdrive wrote:

Andre147 PGC wrote:Allen 3-2 up, but still I think Neil will spark at some moment in this match.

Not so sure. Maybe he'll improve if he's with his back against the wall but at the moment it's not looking good.

What did I tell you...

Neil does this so well, when he looks down and out a ton wakes him up again, and only the great champions manage to do that.

Hoping for more of the same in the next frames, but if it's goes close I expect a few nerves again.

Andre147 PGC wrote:

Snooker Overdrive wrote:

Andre147 PGC wrote:Allen 3-2 up, but still I think Neil will spark at some moment in this match.

Not so sure. Maybe he'll improve if he's with his back against the wall but at the moment it's not looking good.

What did I tell you...

Neil does this so well, when he looks down and out a ton wakes him up again, and only the great champions manage to do that.

Hoping for more of the same in the next frames, but if it's goes close I expect a few nerves again.