The day's play is likely to be overshadowed by the result of the John Higgins hearing, which is a shame because there's some intriguing matches in prospect.
However, the two all time greats, Stephen Hendry and Steve Davis, have been shoved round the back and so will not be appearing on TV.
Hendry faces Martin Gould, who beat him in the Welsh Open two years ago. Gould is much improved in recent times and of course came within a frame of reaching the World Championship quarter-finals last season before Neil Robertson's great comeback.
Hendry has struggled for form for a couple of years and could be vulnerable, particularly away from the TV cameras.
Davis ran through Rod Lawler 5-0 to qualify and was a quarter-finalist at the recent EPTC1 in Germany.
His match against Jamie Cope is a clash of styles and I've no doubt Steve will try and tie the young potter up in tactical knots.
Cope needs to display patience and a positive attitude, not something he has always done.
Robertson plays his first TV match since the Crucible against Peter Ebdon, which is a very tough opener for the Aussie.
Ding Junhui v Jin Long is likely to bring a sizeable crowd to the Grand Stage as will the popular Mark Selby v Mei Xiwen, although their match is also not on TV.
Yesterday's centuries:
Stuart Bingham - 142
Judd Trump - 135
Mark Davis - 105
Judd Trump - 102
Marco Fu - 101
Dave. I am struggling. We constantly here about the incredible interest in snooker in China. So why when I tune in to your excellent coverage on Eurosport do I see a crowd with one man and his proverbial dog?
ReplyDeleteGooooooood question from The Snooker Oracle! lol
ReplyDeleteThank you for the century break list, Dave!
Dave. Do you think Ebdon can get back in the Top16? Also will the World Open be on the Beeb. I like the blog.
ReplyDeleteMatt, Peter Ebdon is now in top 16. The old ranking list no longer matters. What matters is the current rolling ranking list and here, Ebdon is number 16 at the moment.
ReplyDeleteDave said here somewhere that the WO will be on the BBC.
PS Who doesn't like the blog?!....
ReplyDeleteCould someone tell the commentators on the Harold/Carter match to stop whistling down their nose during play.
ReplyDeleteI keep thinking the kettle is boiling.
The old ranking list counts up to the World Open. At the moment Ebdon is provisionally 17th but personally I would be surprised if he didn't get back in at some point.
ReplyDeleteEbdon's win today increases his chances of getting back into the top 16. The World Open will be on the BBC.
ReplyDeleteAs to the crowds, many ordinary Chinese can't afford tickets. Also, I'd imagine quite a few were watching Selby and also Davis, both of whom are very popular in China.
And most of them work long weeks so evening crowds are more well attended.
ReplyDeleteI am sure if Mr O'Sullivan was there, there would have been more watching than what was watching the Williams / Walden match :(
ReplyDeletegrow up 1259
ReplyDeletehe didnt want to be there!
Hi Dave,
ReplyDeleteAm sure you know but the Sky Shoot-Out tournament is going to at the Blackpool Circus in January.
Seems like the top players are following on from the PTC events - poorly.
Thanks, Joe
Speaking of the World Open: will it be on Eurosport as well?
ReplyDeleteYes it will be
ReplyDeletedave have you got the press release ws are about to make?
ReplyDeleteNot yet
ReplyDeleteok
ReplyDeletety for the swift reply
Not showing neither Davis nor Hendry is an utter disgrace.
ReplyDeleteWho wants to not watch them? Nobody, that's who. "Thanks" China.
@1:32
ReplyDeleteI wasn't denying the fact that ronnie didn't want to be there, it is obvious that he doesn't.
I was stating the fact that if ronnie was playing there would have been a better crowd than what there was for the Williams/Walden match (which replaced the ROS match), which was what the discussion was about earlier in the thread...