I don't care if this comes across as overly sentimental or nostalgic: well done Jimmy White.
His run to the final stages of the Welsh Open proves that, while his form has declined, his pure love of snooker remains undiminshed.
However, natural delight at Jimmy's progress is tempered by the shocking decline of Ken Doherty, who lost 5-0 to the perennial crowd favourite at Pontin's today.
Two years ago, Ken was world no.2. He will now probably have to reach the World Championship quarter-finals at least to keep his top 32 place.
What went wrong? White could tell you because a couple of years ago he was unable to do much damage at Prestatyn.
These guys aren't too proud to go to the qualifiers but it takes some adjusting.
They've played for most of their careers on TV and are suddenly in front of the proverbial one man and his dog (although there was a big crowd for their match today).
All the time they are thinking: 'I shouldn't be here.'
The good news for Ken is that the world qualifiers are being played at the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield, where he won a match to qualify for the final stages of the UK Championship last December.
Again, I'm all for looking to the future but I sincerely hope we haven't seen the last of this genuine good guy at the Crucible.
18 comments:
Jimmy was really pumped up after this win today.
It's all about confidence isn't it and Jimmy is buzzing at the moment.
He's had a Lazarus like win from 4-0 down and now whitewashed one of the Worl's great players.
Two seasons ago Ken took the time and trouble to come to Pontin's to play in the conditions. He won the Pontin's Pro Am series in a canter
but this season all that preparation work seems to count for nothing.
I feel gutted for Ken. I think he probably feels embarassed and at a complete loss as to what to do. I really hope he can pick himself up again. Whilst I think he is good at commentary and punditry on the BBC I would much rather watch him play.
Yeah it's so sad to see Ken in this plight, I've said it before and I'll say it again, he's one of the nicest people that I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. It's amazing to see his career going downhill like this and as has been on the cards for a while now, it looks like he will be outside of the top 32 next season.
I had hoped that the Masters qualifiers would prove to be a turning point for him but obviously not :(
Nevertheless I look forward to watching him at the EISS, I just hope that he can pull a result out of the bag, for his one-year ranking and another match at the Crucible if nothing else.
i am more gutted for ken than i am happy for jimmy - and i dont dislike either player
i am more gutted for ken than i am happy for jimmy - and i dont dislike either player
I really hope the darling makes it back again.
Ignoring that: well done Jimmy!!! They better put him on a televised table this time. I seem to remember him being ignored last time he qualified for the final stages of a tournament.
Doherty is too good not to get back in the 16. Don't write him off.
Doherty lost 5-0 to John Parrott in the qualifiers of this season's Grand Prix too... I like Doherty so I hope he qualifies for the Crucible.
The worry for Ken is that he is now being whitewashed by the likes of Parrott & White, players who were on the tour long before him.
Any talk of decline due to age and/or miles on the mental clock should point to Ken being more durable than either in those who beat him easily.
Kens form is diabolical right now sadly.
Ken will be back - it is only last season that he reached the semis of the masters and the final of Malta- he was very unfortunate not to beat Ronnie in the Northern Ireland Trophy.
He will fight back and come close to winning more titles- the man has class.
there are too few ranking tournaments and it means that one poor season might be last for top player and it's very, very bad :-( we need much more tournaments
Anonymous said...
Doherty is too good not to get back in the 16. Don't write him off.
6:46 PM
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What a load of rubbish. Ok everyone is entitled to their opinion but no player is too good not to be low in the rankings. if hes not high in the rankings its because hes not playing well enough, so theres no reasonable reason for saying hes too good not to be a top 16 player. loads of players outside the 16 on their best days are too good not to be in the top 16 but that is only on their best days. nobody is too good.
all IMHO
People seem to forget that Ken has recently become a Father. Those of us that have children know that involves sleepless nights, childrens illnesses, worry, all things that come with having children.
Look at all the players who have had children just about every one of them has a drop in form when children come around. It happened to John Higgins, Stephen Hendry even Ronnie, but what also usually happens is that their form usually does return.
I'm not saying that Ken will be a tournament winner again, but his form will return and he will climb the rankings again.
The last poster makes a fair point but why make excuses for Ken's poor run of form?
Being a father is something I would say 95% of the players on the tour will encounter during their careers.
Ken is on the slippery sloppe sadly, and losing all these qualifiers now makes his ranking position a real worry.
I am sure Ken defeated many players who had recently became a father, some of which were struggling to pay the bills as well.
Everything comes to an end I am afraid and Ken will not fancy slugging it out in qualifying rounds for much longer.
Especially as a former World Champion.
Ian Mculloch promised much but seems to have suffered recently - any thoughts on this Dave and everyone?
I don't think that he ever fully recovered from being forced to qualify despite having reached the top 16 in 2005 really.
Anonymous said...
Ian Mculloch promised much but seems to have suffered recently - any thoughts on this Dave and everyone?
2:02 PM
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Well done Jimmy. Unlucky Ken
Ian is like many other very fine players that almost made it to the very top but always found someone just too good for them on the very biggest occasions. He reminds me of the greats David Taylor, Kirk Stevens, and Bill Werbeniuk who just fell slightly short of the biggest prizes as professionals
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