Post a reply

Higgins & O'Sullivan: a class of their own

Postby Tubberlad

I'm almost certain that I'm not alone in feeling that the pointless Hendry v Ronnie O'Sullivan debates have been long worn out. We'll never find a true answer to who the greatest player in the game's history is, too often facts and valid opinions turn into personal insults, and we find ourselves stuck in an endless roundabout with the same points popping up again and again. Boring would be an understatement.

The biggest shame with these debates however, is that the greatest rivalry of the decade is ignored, and one player in particular, despite his obvious brilliance, simply doesn't get a look in on the vast majority of snooker threads. No, let's ignore him, and focus on two players who never faced each other at their best, and therefore never actually had a true on-table rivalry (controversial, maybe, but that's my view, the rivalry was caused by off-table niggle between them).

I think it's fair to say that John Higgins and Ronnie O'Sullivan are, by some distance, the standout players of this decade. Mark Williams had his moments, and was almost as succesful as Higgins, but for pure consistency, the Scot gets the definite nod. And we've been treated to some spectacular clashes between the two. In 2001, Ronnie earned his title in a quality final against the excellent Scot, winning 18-14 despite seeing his 14-7 gnawed away at by Higgins. A great final, and a most definite sign of things to come. The 2003 Irish Masters final was a total classic. Never more than a frame between them, we were treated to one of the best quality games I have ever seen. Fittingly, it went down to the wire, before O'Sullivan clinched a 10-9 win with a brilliant 128 break.

In 2005's Masters final, things weren't so tight. O'Sullivan tore Higgins apart with one of the best displays of snooker ever seen. So brilliant that Higgins, with his never-say-die attitude, actually began to wave his towel in surrender. Revenge would be sweet though, just months later Higgins crushed the Rocket, 4 centuries on the spin to seal a 9-2 win.

Thankfully, the games became much closer, but the quality, naturally, never let up. The 2006 Masters final was one of the best games ever seen. It again went to a decider, and O'Sullivan appeared to have the title sewn up with a 60 break. However, despite the opening red barely succumbing to the law of gravity, Higgins cleared with a breathtaking 64. The rivalry was now very much in full swing.

Higgins held off a spirited Rocket fightback at the 2007 World Championship, winning out 13-9 having led 11-5. Their next serious encounter would take place at the 2009 Shanghai Masters. Ronnie was far too good on this occasion, winning out 6-1. Just over a month later, and the two giants of were at it again, playing out a brilliant Grand Prix quarter-final, Higgins winning in a deciding frame.

What makes this rivalry so special though, besides the fact that these two are head and shoulders above the competition, is the contrast in styles and the great admiration the two have for each other. Ronnie is a joy to watch, carries the cueball on a string, attacks with panache (although he boasts a fine safety game also) and entertains the masses. A genius, an artist, a magician. Higgins is the perfect matchplayer, strong in all departments, a master tactician and unshakeable mental strength. Both these men know how to close a game out, and are loaded with bottle, Higgins in particular looks a class apart in deciding frame showdowns.

Ronnie is sometimes labelled as disrespectful, and to be fair, he does come accross as arrogant. Even last March he was claiming that only himself or Higgins could raise their game when they needed to, and one of the two would win the World Championship. Cocky? Perhaps. Wrong? Absolutely not.

They may not have dominated like a Hendry or Davis, but they're still a class apart and have been for some time. Two magical players, and we should be thankful to have seen them. Their game on Saturday, although not a final, is a fitting end to a decade where they both shone brighter than the rest.

This decade:

Ronnie O'Sullivan:
World Champion 2001, 2004, 2008
UK Champion 2001, 2007
Masters Champion: 2005, 2007, 2009
Ranking titles: 15

John Higgins:
World Champion: 2007, 2009
UK Champion: 2000
Masters Champion: 2006
Ranking titles: 8

Re: Higgins & O'Sullivan: a class of their own

Postby That Cue Arm!

Excellent article TTL <ok>

Brought back a lot of memories from arguably the two best players of the last 10 years.. As stated it is impossible to compare these 2 as they play two completely different games.. When they play each other though, the match is not meant to be analysed but enjoyed. And rearly disappoints <cool>

Looking forward to Saturday match.. as TTL said, an fitting end to the 2000s.. with the best players of the last 10 years fighting it out to play maybe the best player of the next 10? (Ding)

Shaping up to be a cracking end to a great tournament!

Cheers :cheers:

Re: Higgins & O'Sullivan: a class of their own

Postby Seifer Almasy

I really hope that Higgins gets his just desserts later in today. He has dodged so many defeats it is unreal. His luck has been extraordinary and it is time it came to an end.

They say the chinese are lucky sods, well Ding will need to be just to balance the books.

10-9
10-9
9-8
9-7
9-8
9-8

9-8
7-6
5-4
3-2


Good luck ding!

Keep him away from number 3. Preferably with a 10-9 finish to sink him.

Re: Higgins & O'Sullivan: a class of their own

Postby NedB-H

Seifer island hatah wrote:I really hope that Higgins gets his just desserts later in today. He has dodged so many defeats it is unreal. His luck has been extraordinary and it is time it came to an end.

They say the chinese are lucky sods, well Ding will need to be just to balance the books.

10-9
10-9
9-8
9-7
9-8
9-8

9-8
7-6
5-4
3-2


Good luck ding!

Keep him away from number 3. Preferably with a 10-9 finish to sink him.

Please don't ruin this forum as well as 606 with your bitterness, thanks :)

Re: Higgins & O'Sullivan: a class of their own

Postby Eirebilly

Right now Higgins and Ronnie are certainly in a class of their own for now. I can honestly see Robertson, Selby and Ding making some inroads on them soon.

Good article tubber <ok>

Re: Higgins & O'Sullivan: a class of their own

Postby Wildey

Ding has defiantly without a shadow of a doubt Re claimed his position as Chinas NO 1 Player because Wenbo was catching him up.

Re: Higgins & O'Sullivan: a class of their own

Postby Bourne

wildJONESEYE wrote:Ding has defiantly without a shadow of a doubt Re claimed his position as Chinas NO 1 Player because Wenbo was catching him up.

Wenbo coming into the top of the game has proved to be the best thing that's happened for Ding in years, galvanised him it seems.

Re: Higgins & O'Sullivan: a class of their own

Postby Casey

Bourne wrote:
wildJONESEYE wrote:Ding has defiantly without a shadow of a doubt Re claimed his position as Chinas NO 1 Player because Wenbo was catching him up.

Wenbo coming into the top of the game has proved to be the best thing that's happened for Ding in years, galvanised him it seems.


Hendry said at the start of the season that the emergence of other Chinese players might finally take the pressure off Ding. It would certainly seem that is the case and snooker is reaping the rewards. Also this all helps with this 'proposed' third ranking event in China.

Re: Higgins & O'Sullivan: a class of their own

Postby Wildey

case_master wc wrote:
Bourne wrote:
wildJONESEYE wrote:Ding has defiantly without a shadow of a doubt Re claimed his position as Chinas NO 1 Player because Wenbo was catching him up.

Wenbo coming into the top of the game has proved to be the best thing that's happened for Ding in years, galvanised him it seems.


Hendry said at the start of the season that the emergence of other Chinese players might finally take the pressure off Ding. It would certainly seem that is the case and snooker is reaping the rewards. Also this all helps with this 'proposed' third ranking event in China.


Hendry is a good judge. i remember when all the talk of Ronnie in the early 90s he said watch out for John Higgins he could be a better player....he hasn't quite done it but very close.

Re: Higgins & O'Sullivan: a class of their own

Postby NedB-H

Bourne wrote:
wildJONESEYE wrote:Ding has defiantly without a shadow of a doubt Re claimed his position as Chinas NO 1 Player because Wenbo was catching him up.

Wenbo coming into the top of the game has proved to be the best thing that's happened for Ding in years, galvanised him it seems.

Strangely, whilst Ding and Liang are having great seasons, all the other Chinese guys - Liu Song, Li Hang, etc - are going backwards.


   

cron