29.1.10

NO QUARTER GIVEN

Mark Allen should today put Ronnie O’Sullivan under more pressure than either Stuart Bingham or Jamie Cope did and – as we know from the Masters final – even great players feel pressure.

Allen has the advantage of having beaten O’Sullivan at last year’s World Championship and knows that if he can beat him at the Crucible, he can beat him anywhere.

Much will depend on O’Sullivan cutting out the odd unforced error. These were not pounced on by Bingham or Cope but Allen is more likely to punish an errant Rocket.

If John Higgins beats Mark Selby he will advance to his sixth successive ranking event semi-final. The record is eight, held by, yeah, you guessed it, Steve Davis and Stephen Hendry.

Higgins once again demonstrated how good his all round game is last night by repelling the challenge of Graeme Dott.

He hasn’t won the Welsh Open in ten years but is playing every bit as good now as he was a decade ago.

The same can be said of Mark Williams, who was brilliant last night in whitewashing Andrew Higginson. In doing so, Williams reminded everyone of why he was the game’s top player for a period in the 2000s.

Stephen Maguire has been getting results this season but seems to be blowing hot and cold, which he can ill afford to do against an in form Williams.

It’s the first time since 1997 that two Welshmen have reached the quarter-finals. Ryan Day will also be shouldering home hopes against defending champion Ali Carter.

11 comments:

jamie brannon said...

My tips are Ronnie, Selby, Williams and Day. Interesting that Ronnie, got a bigger crowd than the Welshman Stevens yesterday. must have been mostly Welsh people watching Ronnie as well. I got the feeling that Williams and Day would be tonight not to clash with Ronnie.

I am patriotic man despite some of my recent comments about individuals and am still hoping that Barry Hearn resurrects the World Cup so we can start singing three lions on my waistcoat!

If it were three man teams again, my England 'dream team' would be Ronnie O'Sullivan, Mark Selby and Shaun Murphy.

Anonymous said...

Jamie do you really reckon those 3 would agree to play together? Even if they did I don't think it would be a very happy team!

kimball said...

NO QUARTER GIVEN!

Aptly frased Dave,a Rocket with a
smile, close to two maximums.

What a show.

kimball said...

Absolutely, world cup!

The way it was run 1996, giving
small countries a participating
chance was a very good concept and a credit to WSA!

Oopps, never thought I would say that!

Anonymous said...

it's interesting to see that o'sullivans game was packed this afternoon but the match between the current world champ,prov #1 higgins and masters champ selby had about 30 people watching....why is that!?

Anonymous said...

Hi Dave,

I agree with 3.49. There was a dozen people watching the Selby/Higgins clash. Global said on its live scoring there was a queue...well that maybe the case. But it was for one match only.

I just hope Hearn keeps the Welsh Open going. He said in his interview on BBC Radio5 that it is paramount to keep what they have to build up. I believe the WO and the Grand Prix are very much a staple on the world tour.

Oh, and well played O'Sullivan.

Fantastic appreciation at the end of the match by Allen as well.

Thanks, Joe

Anonymous said...

Unlucky Mark Allen...

I am hoping for a Williams or Higgins win in this tournament.

Anonymous said...

Snooker © The Fine Art Method
A secret is wasted if not shared
Hi Dave
How are you! I hope Dave that the “Open Letter” I sent to World Snooker by Fax and for open display was straight up and by the rules and followed your guide lines. There is nothing written that should be left unsaid.

Transparency and complete honesty is the verbal platform that gave Barry the WPBSA chairmanship. Barry’s pledges were the reason for such strong support from snookers many gong owners, like Steve Davis, John Parrott and world champion John Higgins.

These honourable trustees of the Queens awards in turn swayed many votes from snookers then Chairman Sir Rodney Walker.
The vote was almost a route by Barry with such honourable recommendations. Barry has a lot on his plate to prove and retain snookers integrity and the game principally for the WPBSA members’ benefits. Mr Hey you

Anonymous said...

Mr Hearn was at the dart's tonight, the question is presentation time come Sunday night, will he be at the Newport Centre or the Circus Tavern?

Anonymous said...

1 out of 4 Jamie. good shooting son.

cant wait till tomorrow night...

jamie brannon said...

Im having a poor time gambling at the moment, so I would not take my advice too much!

I think Selby would play with Ronnie yes, he has no real issue with him. I think we would be favourites.