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Re: Dafabet Masters Q Final : Mark Selby v Ronnie O'Sullivan

Postby Andre147

snucar wrote:
TheRocket wrote:
Ronnie O'Sullivan and Stephen Hendry are probably the main two players who have managed to do this more than any other player has. They really have/had the ability to just wipe you out. Steve Davis obviously did it many times as well but not in the same fashion like ROS and Hendry as he hadn't had the scoring power of a Hendry or O'Sullivan, the two greatest breakbuilders of all time.


You don't have to have that much scoring power to wipe people out. Ask John Parrott or the scoring powered Jimmy White how it feels to come to the table without anything to play every single freaking time. Davis is the most multi-dimensional player there's ever been and make no mistake. his scoring power was the best of his era.


That's also debatable.

I respect your opinion on Davis, but for me John Higgins is the best all-rounder the game has ever seen. Maybe on some safety departments Davis was better, but overall Higgins is a tad above him in my view.

Re: Dafabet Masters Q Final : Mark Selby v Ronnie O'Sullivan

Postby Andre147

So... first Quarter-Final match this one.

I hope Ronnie finds his breakbuilding rhythm and scores well, he definately needs to do this in order to beat Selby.

Ronnie can also mix it very well with tactical play, but as we know too well, especially from the World Final, that if he gets drawn into too many safety and tactical battles, his free flowing game goes off and he plays into Selby's hands.

It's always a fascinating match up between these two, I kinda of compare it to the Alex Higgins v Steve Davis matches. Fortunately, Ronnie's record against Selby isn't as bad as Higgin's was against Davis. <laugh>

Hoping for a close match, 6-4 or 6-5, hopefully in Ronnie's favour.

Re: Dafabet Masters Q Final : Mark Selby v Ronnie O'Sullivan

Postby Snooker Overdrive

Andre147 wrote:
It's always a fascinating match up between these two, I kinda of compare it to the Alex Higgins v Steve Davis matches. Fortunately, Ronnie's record against Selby isn't as bad as Higgin's was against Davis. <laugh>


That's not surprising. Ronnie is much better than Alex Higgins ever was and Steve Davis was better than Selby.

Re: Dafabet Masters Q Final : Mark Selby v Ronnie O'Sullivan

Postby Snooker Overdrive

Holden Chinaski wrote:I won't be able to watch. Have to work :grrr: Will definitely watch the match later on YouTube.


Same here :grrr: I blame the BBC for not broadcasting snooker in the evening and therefore always putting the better matches on in the afternoon. Not very work friendly. However I'll try to leave as early as possible, ideally right after the interval.

Re: Dafabet Masters Q Final : Mark Selby v Ronnie O'Sullivan

Postby Snooker Overdrive

TheRocket wrote:It's not always easy to define the term trashing. For some people it's just about the result. But for me it's more than that.

Selby beat Ronnie 6:2 in the 2012 Welsh Open but both were playing pathetic. Robertson whitewashed Selby in the UK semi last month but did it really feel like a hammering or destruction? Not really. Selby had chances in every frame. The result for Selby nevertheless was embarrassing obviously.

The Masters finals 2005,2007 and the Grand Prix final 2005 for example is what you can really call a hammering in my eyes. When one player just completely dominates the table, keep winning the frames in one visit with the other guy just sitting on his seat and being absolutely helpless.

Ronnie O'Sullivan and Stephen Hendry are probably the main two players who have managed to do this more than any other player has. They really have/had the ability to just wipe you out. Steve Davis obviously did it many times as well but not in the same fashion like ROS and Hendry as he hadn't had the scoring power of a Hendry or O'Sullivan, the two greatest breakbuilders of all time.


Very good post there.

Maybe a few things I can add. The facial reactions from the receiving player are also telling. The look of helplessness, disbelief and agony on the face, that's a true sign of a good old trashing. Stephen Hendry in the 2004 Crucible semis is an excellent example for that.

Re: Dafabet Masters Q Final : Mark Selby v Ronnie O'Sullivan

Postby TheSaviour

For a starter, every century is an utterly great and so difficult to achieve. BUT what I particularly liked about Ronnie´s performance against Williams was that watching live it looked nothing happened when he rolled those tons in. Because, in order to even a have chance to make a century you need to make so many canons to clean the path. Unless the balls are really well spread. But still it requires continuous positional precision. Which is not an easy by any means. So Ronnie really made it feel magical when rolled in those centuries and I was almost falling asleep watching it. I was like nothing is happening here. Obviously that´s the way I like it and think that basically all the players should at least try to play snooker like that. Ronnie really has deserved his OBE nomination, me thinks..

Number 802 rolling in... Number 803 rolling in.. And nothing really happening out there.

Re: Dafabet Masters Q Final : Mark Selby v Ronnie O'Sullivan

Postby mantorok

I think this will come down to match practice, of which Selby has oodles over Ronnie this season, sure it might be close but the closer it is the less chance Ronnie will have to pull out a win.

I reckon a 6-3 or 6-4 to Selby.

Re: Dafabet Masters Q Final : Mark Selby v Ronnie O'Sullivan

Postby Prop

We saw Selby knocking in some really accurate long reds against Walden.

Will he still go for those today, or tighten up a bit? I personally think he's just as likely to win playing an aggressive game.

Really looking forward to this.

Re: Dafabet Masters Q Final : Mark Selby v Ronnie O'Sullivan

Postby Cheshire Cat

Heart says O'Sullivan, gut says Selby.

Selby looked like a man on a mission in the first 4 frames against Walden. His lack of clinical scoring was really shown up against Robbo back in the UK semi, but after Tuesday's performance, I wouldn't be surprised at all if Mark came out guns blazing and blew Ronnie off the table tbqh. I can't see Ronnie doing the same to Mark, he just doesn't have that sort of 'mood' about him right now unless he comes out feeling inspired. Today is a different day of course, but whether it's the aggressive Selby or the more percentage Selby that shows up, Ronnie is in for a tough one.

Re: Dafabet Masters Q Final : Mark Selby v Ronnie O'Sullivan

Postby Holden Chinaski

I think both Ronnie and Selby are unpredictable players. Selby sometimes plays great snooker one day and the next day he plays like an amateur and Ronnie can seem uninspired one day and be a totally unplayable genius the next. So you never now. Very hard to predict. But I say Ronnie wins 6-3.

Will have to watch the match later, as I'm working now...

Go Ronnie!

Re: Dafabet Masters Q Final : Mark Selby v Ronnie O'Sullivan

Postby Andre147

Shall be a great match, Selby too for me starts this one as favourite, would be really silly to say otherwise given Ronnie almost hasn't played at all since Worlds.

Selby looked as good as ever against Walden, especially those first 4 frames, but will he keep that scoring power up? I think he'll tighten it up a bit, and we may see a lot of tactical frames, but one can just never guess. I just hope if it goes too tactical Ronnie can keep up with him, his safety game against MJW wasn't anything special.

Plus Ronnie's free flowing breakbulding needs to be spot on today to stand a decent chance.

And I agree, the closer the match gets, Selby will have more advantage no doubt.