Before the final, a word on the semis, in particular the fall-out from Neil Robertson’s victory over Judd Trump.
I personally have no problem with Robertson’s clenched-fist in potting frame and match ball. This was not a protracted celebration, just a release of emotion.
Equally, I have no problem with the supporters of players shouting out between shots. As long as they don’t put the players off when they are down at the table a bit of audience participation is fine.
Flukes have always been applauded and people who are partisan to begin with become more so as the match wears on.
Robertson had his say afterwards, not about Trump but some of his entourage. Said members of the Trump massive did themselves few favours with some unpleasant tweeting about Robertson in the aftermath. Trump, to his credit, wished the Australian well for the final.
One point that is absurd, though, is Robertson’s ‘slow’ play. Trump is lucky he never had to play the real grinders to grace the snooker stage.
The fact is this: Robertson has made more centuries this season than any other player. He is not a grinder but he is a great match-player who plays to his strengths, not his opponents (there is a difference).
Robertson also seems to enjoy riling his fellow players a little and good on him for that. It’s a game, yes, but also a profession. There’s no reason why everyone has to be friends.
This has been made out to be some great feud but the slightly disappointing truth is this: both Neil and Judd are too nice to get involved in anything as serious as that. All the surrounding blather on Twitter and elsewhere doesn’t change this.
And so to the final...
NEIL ROBERTSON V SHAUN MURPHY
It’s a very difficult final to predict because it involves two proven winners both playing superbly and both good under pressure.
It is Robertson’s ninth TV final. He has never lost one. The Melbourne man also becomes the eighth non British player to appear in a Masters final.
Murphy, like Robertson, had done little of note in the Masters prior to this year but was superb again last night.
It would have been an injustice had he lost to John Higgins, even though the match was very close to going 5-5. Murphy scored heavily, making three centuries, and remained positive throughout.
He always has been ultra confident, but such self belief is understandable given his ability. His technique belongs in a textbook and his poise under pressure is why he’s one win away from becoming only the eighth player to complete the ‘triple crown’ of title successes in the World Championship, UK Championship and Masters.
Prediction: I’m going Murphy to win 10-8 but I really don’t know or, for that matter, care. I’ll just sit back enjoy what promises to be an enthralling encounter.
15 comments:
"Trump is lucky he never had to play
the real grinders to grace the snooker stage.
The fact is this: Robertson has made more
centuries this season than any other player. He
is not a grinder but he is a great match-player
who plays to his strengths, not his opponents
(there is a difference)."
Very, very true. Nobody could have said it better, Dave.
Seems to me that Mark Allen and Judd Trump must have visited the ROS school of charm before this tournament started. As for the final, I haven't looked forward to any match as much for ages.
Well put David. Very fairly put about the twitter and FB nonsense that Judd's "mates" are putting down. They've been aggressive and shown themselves as they really are.
Should be a great final if it's not marred by their return.
This is a tough one to predict right enough. I'm goin for 10.8 Robbo. Just think he's a better all round player. Smurf makes some strange decisions at the table at times. I'll be rooting for smurph thou!
Hi David. It should be a great final. I can't wait.
Have to say though I do like both players i do find both Robertsons Air punching/shouting and Judd's supporters constant over the top cheering of everything slightly annoying.i also don't think it does either of them any favours as surely such behavior only gives any opponent more incentive to beat them.
As for todays final I have a feeling Murphy might just halt Robertsons perfect final record.
"It would have been an injustice had he lost to John Higgins, even though the match was very close to going 5-5. Murphy scored heavily, making three centuries, and remained positive throughout."
Hope you don't mind, but I think this is a wee bit incorrect. Murphy beat Higgins 6 frames to 4 so the scoreline can't have been 5-5!
It would have been 5-5 had Higgins won the tenth frame
Hi David. The Final. Robertson v Murphy.
Session 1. An edgy start. Robertson winning frame 1 on the black, to lead 1-0. Murphy responded. 1 all. A great 102 break from Murphy, to lead 2-1. A 103 break from robertson in frame four. 2 all at the mid-session interval.
Robertson won frame five, for a 3-2 lead. Murphy won the sixth. 3 all. Robertson went 4-3 up, by winning frame seven. A tight conclusion to frame eight. Both had chances. In the end, Murphy hit a safety shot wrong, Robertson won the frame.
5-3 to Robertson, going into this evenings final session. It should be a cracker. I can't wait.
Frame five to Robertson, for a 3-2 lead. Murphy won the sixth. 3 all. Robertson went 4-3 ahead, by winning frame seven. A tight conclusion to frame eight. Murphy and robertson having chances. Robertson won the frame, after Murphy played a poor safety.
Robertson did criticise Trump
Totally agree. Robbo is a great player to watch and I think of myself as a grinder hater.
Having loved Trump up to now, think I wil take a more ambivalent view. In fact, hope to see lots of players grinding him down as it's great entertainment. If he is going to be petulant like Ronnie then great, he is going to get lots of abuse on Twitter every time he bottles a semi final.
Saying Robbo doesn't have talent? Eh, it's Trump who has taken ages to come on the scene because he could not handle the pressure!
Well done Neil Robertson. I'm glad he increased his record of final wins.
Had to laugh hearing Judds comments about slow play; I agree what dave said about the 80's...I suppose it could have been just throw away silly comments afetr losing who knows?
Robertson is ahead of shaun in tactical dept as studio lads were saying. Fair play to him; I'd put him up there with selby as tactics go, but I think he has a better technique than selby.
Hi David. The Final. Robertson v Murphy. Session 2.
Resuming 5-3 down, Murphy needed a good start. He easily won frame 9. 5-4. Murphy was on 32 in the 10th. He missed a plant. Robertson cleared with a 101 break. 6-4.
With great all-round play, Robertson took the next 3 frames aswell. He was now five up with six to play. 9-4. What could Murphy do?
Two quick frame wins for Murphy. 9-6. Robertson sealed victory, at 10-6, with a good break in the 16th and clinching frame.
Robertson's record of never losing a final, still stands.
Credit to Murphy, for not giving in, as ever. Robertson, in my view, though, deserved the win.
A great event, as a whole, in my view. Great to see Robertson's partner and son there aswell.
Trump was right about slow play in the match. I wondered how long before the Trump backlash might start.
I hardly call winning a UK Championship, China Open and two PTC events bottling it.
Trump hasn't a clue what he is talking about. Robertson's average shot time was literally one second slower than Trump's at the end of the match, so was not slow by any definition of the word.
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