David Gray v Ronnie O’Sullivan

Andre147 wrote:

vodkadiet1 wrote:I think O'Sullivan had 4 centuries in a row in going 5-1 up in that match. Incredible that he lost that match,

Almost 4 centuries in a row yes. From 1-1, ROS made breaks of 123, 101, 115, plus a 96.

Wanted to watch that match for a long time so definately will watch it now. Pity they dont have the whole match of ROS v Drago in 1996.

vodkadiet1 wrote:

Andre147 wrote:

vodkadiet1 wrote:I think O'Sullivan had 4 centuries in a row in going 5-1 up in that match. Incredible that he lost that match,

Almost 4 centuries in a row yes. From 1-1, ROS made breaks of 123, 101, 115, plus a 96.

Wanted to watch that match for a long time so definately will watch it now. Pity they dont have the whole match of ROS v Drago in 1996.

ROS V Drago?!! That match was rubbish. I think O'Sullivan won 13-4 or 13-5. All this after he predicted he would 'pump' Drago 13-0!

Cloud Strife wrote:

vodkadiet1 wrote:

Andre147 wrote:

vodkadiet1 wrote:I think O'Sullivan had 4 centuries in a row in going 5-1 up in that match. Incredible that he lost that match,

Almost 4 centuries in a row yes. From 1-1, ROS made breaks of 123, 101, 115, plus a 96.

Wanted to watch that match for a long time so definately will watch it now. Pity they dont have the whole match of ROS v Drago in 1996.

ROS V Drago?!! That match was rubbish. I think O'Sullivan won 13-4 or 13-5. All this after he predicted he would 'pump' Drago 13-0!

Was this match before or after he assaulted Mike Ganley? This was also the year he had his famous run-in with Alain Robidoux in the first round. It was classic Ronnie throughout in 1996.

vodkadiet1 wrote:

Cloud Strife wrote:

vodkadiet1 wrote:

Andre147 wrote:

vodkadiet1 wrote:I think O'Sullivan had 4 centuries in a row in going 5-1 up in that match. Incredible that he lost that match,

Almost 4 centuries in a row yes. From 1-1, ROS made breaks of 123, 101, 115, plus a 96.

Wanted to watch that match for a long time so definately will watch it now. Pity they dont have the whole match of ROS v Drago in 1996.

ROS V Drago?!! That match was rubbish. I think O'Sullivan won 13-4 or 13-5. All this after he predicted he would 'pump' Drago 13-0!

Was this match before or after he assaulted Mike Ganley? This was also the year he had his famous run-in with Alain Robidoux in the first round. It was classic Ronnie throughout in 1996.

Yes it was. He assaulted Ganley after the Drago match. They was going to default him before his quarter match with Higgins but the authorities bottled out. And he then came from 10-5 down to beat Higgins 13-12. I bet Higgins was happy with World Snooker!

Cloud Strife wrote:Regarding the Robidoux left-handed controversy...

"When Ronnie O'Sullivan first displayed his left-handed ability in the 1996 World Championship against Alain Robidoux, the Canadian accused him of disrespect and refused to shake hands after the match.

He was summoned to a disciplinary hearing in response to Robidoux's formal complaint, where he had to prove that he could play to a high level with his left hand. He played three frames of snooker against former world championship runner-up Rex Williams, winning all three. The charge of bringing the game into disrepute was subsequently dropped"

https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/ang ... html%3famp

This was bizarre IMO. Ronnie shouldn't have had to prove anything to anybody, but there you go.

Cloud Strife wrote:Regarding the Robidoux left-handed controversy...

"When Ronnie O'Sullivan first displayed his left-handed ability in the 1996 World Championship against Alain Robidoux, the Canadian accused him of disrespect and refused to shake hands after the match.

He was summoned to a disciplinary hearing in response to Robidoux's formal complaint, where he had to prove that he could play to a high level with his left hand. He played three frames of snooker against former world championship runner-up Rex Williams, winning all three. The charge of bringing the game into disrepute was subsequently dropped"

https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/ang ... html%3famp

This was bizarre IMO. Ronnie shouldn't have had to prove anything to anybody, but there you go.

SnookerEd25 wrote:The match i'd really like to see again is Ronnie v Andy Hicks from the 2004 WC. O'Sullivan pretty much destroyed everyone that year (10-6 Maguire, 13-3 Hamilton, 17-4 Hendry, 18-8 Dott) but Hicks pushed him all the way to 13-11 and it was nip and tuck all the way. They were like 2 boxers going toe-to-toe and blasting away at each other. Hicks was really classy on his day - pity he only found it rarely in his prime.

Unfortunately, I can't find any footage from this match, but hopefully it might surface one day. Somebody must have it on an old VHS tape gathering dust somewhere, surely?

Badsnookerplayer wrote:I am at my peak

Pink Ball wrote:

Badsnookerplayer wrote:I am at my peak

Bodes well for the rest of your existence

TheRocket wrote:David Gray in 2000 and Barry Hawkins in 2016. These are the two matches which I regard as the only two matches Ronnie lost at the Crucible despite playing at his peak.

And the Hicks match in 2004 almost became another one of those. O'Sullivan made 5 centuries in that match (like he did against Gray) but just couldnt shake him off. At some stage frustration came into play and he punched the table. But unlike the Gray match he scraped over the line that time and from then on it was a straightforward run to the title.

Cloud Strife wrote:

TheRocket wrote:David Gray in 2000 and Barry Hawkins in 2016. These are the two matches which I regard as the only two matches Ronnie lost at the Crucible despite playing at his peak.

And the Hicks match in 2004 almost became another one of those. O'Sullivan made 5 centuries in that match (like he did against Gray) but just couldnt shake him off. At some stage frustration came into play and he punched the table. But unlike the Gray match he scraped over the line that time and from then on it was a straightforward run to the title.

I keep reading this from you and its just not true. Ronnie played okay, but nowhere near his peak.

He scored well when in, but his long-potting was weak throughout. And his safety and tactical play was far too loose giving Hawkins plenty of chances.

I think you need to go back and watch that whole match again.

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