(01-05-2016 13:02 )Charlemagne Wrote: [ -> ]After a hard fought clash against Marcu Fu, it will take Mark Selby some time to recover today.
Oh yeah?
Amazing start from Selby, especially after last night. But it will get closer before the end.
do you think having to play 3 qualifying matches is telling on Ding or is Selby similar too good
^^ I don't think so to be honest.
It was having to qualify that gave Ding the kick up the backside he needed and it also got him match sharp heading to the Crucible. He was in stroke all the way the first four rounds at the Crucible. What happened in the second frame of this final where he lost it from a position of Selby needing snookers didn't help matters.
From there frame ball pots and scoring opportunities were spurned, positional play went to pot and his shot selection went to pieces as well.
It all stemmed from desperation really imo.
He started taking risks that were just not sensible against a man playing better than he had done previously.
The old adage about never settling until your first frame is on the board rings as true now as it ever did.
As more and more frames slip away it can be very demoralising and the Crucible is a very lonely place when things are all going horribly wrong.
Snooker is a very psychological game.
When your opponent is at the table potting balls for fun it applies pressure to respond and pressure can do strange things to players. I feel for Ding, I really do.
It can be very unforgiving sometimes.
Blimey that was some 2nd session lasted to well over midnight the last frame was a battle of attrition selby could hardly keep his eyes open but still won the last frame to take a 3 frame lead into 2moros 2 sessions
Frame 15 caused it really.
Selby spent 45 minutes trying to get snookers with the secondary goal of disrupting Ding's rhythm.
Although he failed with the primary task he succeeded in the secondary one as it put Ding out of stroke.
Selby won the two frames after that albeit not with particularly pretty snooker.
Ding wants to get in and pot balls.
Selby seems intent on grinding his way to victory.
It's almost like watching Cliff Thorburn take on Jimmy White
.
2 century breaks in 17 frames says it all really
Just imagine it going 18-17
.
The match might be over by next January
. Ooh yes well I only need 75 snookers.
Best play for them and see what happens
.
I think if Selby does win, Barry Hearn might skip shaking his hand and move on to trying to wring his neck instead!
I gave up around 11.45, glad I did when I learn that last frame was still going half an hour later
Selby might well "win ugly" but I doubt it will win that many fans.
The last frame was mainly Ding trying to win the frame even though he needed 2 snookers to win the green took about 20 mins back and forth with snooker attempts
So he DID retaliate for frame 15?! Good grief!