Aftermath of Ronnie v Judd PTC Final
Now the dust has settled it’s good to have a time-out to reflect on the PTC9 final between Judd Trump and Ronnie O’Sullivan.
I think it’s fair to say everyone who saw the final will remember it fondly. It was one of the most exciting matches for a long time, a best of 7 frame match which went the distance and lasted barely over an hour. Both players went for their shots and it had the audience at the venue and at home completely captivated for the duration.
It was a great advert for snooker and it was also very reminiscent of the clashes between the experienced genius of Alex Higgins and the exciting young potting talent of Jimmy White during the 1980s.
The contrast in styles between these two and the rest of the professional field at the time meant they often lost to players incapable of their individual brilliance, but who knew how to stifle them and beat them. This meant they didn’t face off against each other as often as people would have liked, and it’s interesting to note that nearly 30 years later that aspect of the game hasn’t changed one bit.
When their paths did eventually cross however, it was fireworks, it was exciting, it made you want to go to the nearest snooker club and play the game yourself. People will naturally want more after Sundays final, but this type of match cannot be recreated in an exhibition environment or in the Premier League with shot clocks or suchlike, only when it really matters.
That’s why you have to savour such matches when they do happen. That’s why it’s great to follow this sport, for moments like the PTC final between Judd and Ronnie. That’s why people love them and why their next clash (possibly in the 2nd round of the UK) will attract so much attention. And I for one can’t wait.
I think it’s fair to say everyone who saw the final will remember it fondly. It was one of the most exciting matches for a long time, a best of 7 frame match which went the distance and lasted barely over an hour. Both players went for their shots and it had the audience at the venue and at home completely captivated for the duration.
It was a great advert for snooker and it was also very reminiscent of the clashes between the experienced genius of Alex Higgins and the exciting young potting talent of Jimmy White during the 1980s.
The contrast in styles between these two and the rest of the professional field at the time meant they often lost to players incapable of their individual brilliance, but who knew how to stifle them and beat them. This meant they didn’t face off against each other as often as people would have liked, and it’s interesting to note that nearly 30 years later that aspect of the game hasn’t changed one bit.
When their paths did eventually cross however, it was fireworks, it was exciting, it made you want to go to the nearest snooker club and play the game yourself. People will naturally want more after Sundays final, but this type of match cannot be recreated in an exhibition environment or in the Premier League with shot clocks or suchlike, only when it really matters.
That’s why you have to savour such matches when they do happen. That’s why it’s great to follow this sport, for moments like the PTC final between Judd and Ronnie. That’s why people love them and why their next clash (possibly in the 2nd round of the UK) will attract so much attention. And I for one can’t wait.
-
Roland - Site Admin
- Posts: 18267
- Joined: 29 September 2009
- Location: Cannonbridge, Snooker Island
- Snooker Idol: Selby Ding Kyren Luca
- Highest Break: 102
- Walk-On: Bal Sagoth