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At this stage the main thing is to get though, nobody wants to peak to early although it helps to be in confident mood, to be fair to Trump I think he did quite well considering he went down with food poisoning, a few days off and hopefully he’ll be feeling better come round 2.
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Given the change to the ranking structure in recent years its not that big a surprise half the seeds have gone in the first round. Its not like some of the results have been massive shocks.
Its too early to be talking about who is in form and who isn’t, being in is all that matters at this stage. And now the matches go first to 13 the class will hopefully out and we’ll see the O’Sullivans, Hendry/Higgins, Trumps, Maguires progress forth.
The pockets are horribly inconsistent as Joe Johnson said and as others have said "they wouldn’t have gone in 5 years ago or 5 months ago" – can’t remember seeing pockets in a major where the ball can hit the cushion inches from the jaw and still go in.
I stand corrected as from the qualifiers Hendry could win it, he is playing well enough. Still think it will be a former winner that picks the trophy up though, Trump could go close but his first round form and too open game could cost him.
Doug is right about the ranking format and seeds though, half of them may have gone in the first round but they were not likely winners anyway, they just played in enough small comps to have the ranking of a seed.
Still Ronnie’s to lose in my opinion.
Neil Robertson looks supremely confident. He is my pick to win the title.
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He does and he and Ronnie were easily the most confident and commposed in R1.
Hendry and Higgins had a cracking morning session too though, that’s a quality match, 11 world titles and 1200+ centuries between them. Let’s see what Ronnie does this weekend though.
Looking at the draw, the winner of Hendry/Higgins should be waiting for Trump in the S/F if Trump can re-find his form, if not Hendry or Higgins should be in the final.
The O’Sullivan/Robertson QF holds the key to the bottom half of the draw and though Williams shouldn’t be completely ruled out as a former double Crucible champion, if there is a shock winner it could well come from the quiet corner at the bottom of the draw, what Hawkins lacks in explosive form he makes up for in bottle and doggedness.
Final: Hendry 12-18 O’Sullivan
You could be right about Hendry. I think he thinks he’s 21 again.
. Although he’s playing v well I don’t think he’s beat alot as Bingham is consistent but nothing special and Higgins has been awful all season, he’s been so bad in fact spec-savers have lined him up for an appearance on one of their television adverts. 
Before this started anyone saying Hendry would be in the final I would have laughed.
However watching Maguire this morning, he looks very frustrated and has just kicked the butt of his cue, I think Hendry would have nothing to fear facing him next up. Semi Final other than Trump, Hendry would fancy it and even if Trump makes it he could be physically and mentally tired by then.
So I agree Hendry has a good chance of getting to the final, however I hope Trump strengthens up and blows them all away for my bank balance if nothing else.
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If Trump has recovered from what was supposedly ailing him in the first round then we will see this evening how his game really is, the second session of the Hendry/Higgins match was awful and unless Higgins dragged Hendry down to the level he was playing, it might be that Hendry can’t maintain top form for more than a match these days. Top half should still be between Hendry/Trump, Maguire has played okay but look at the opponents.
Robertson is top of the century makers with 5 but we will see how Ronnie is really playing this afternoon, his first round was great matchplay but he was never going to be able to flow against Ebdon who can stop earthquakes.
O’Sullivan/Robertson could be an early final in all but name…
Carter had a virtual walkover in the 1st Round so you can’t read anything into that but he has got excellent form over the years at the Crucible and if he is anywhere near back to his best then he will give Trump plenty to think about so I like the look of the 11-4 for Carter to win.
Carter is giving Trump trouble and Trump is looking off form or lacking in confidence, it’s making the top half of the draw look better for Hendry.
O’Sullivan is now 3/1JF with Robertson so I’m happy with the 6 but wouldn’t take the 3s now as he still has to get past Williams, Robertson, a SF and a F, but Ronnie is looking seriously upfor it this year and the fireworks haven’t started yet, he looks like he’s playing to Ray’s rules.
Just nicked a bit of 33/1 on Hawkins who has had a cracking start against Stevens, if anybody will cause an upset this year it really could be Hawkins, can’t see the 33s staying for much longer.
Trump still struggling against Carter but Ronnie is now starting to get going, 7 in a row against double former champ Williams on the way to a resounding win is a good practice for his QF against Robertson which even more could be a final in all but name. Looking very good for the rocket.
Ha sto be said, O’sullivan looked awesome today! When he is on it he is absolute class.
If you could have a fairytale final surely it would be Hendry v O’Sullivan. I would walk on hot fires to see that match up. The mutual appreciation there would be incredible.
I would love to see Hendry v O’Sullivan too. People have been writing them both off to varying degrees in the last year. Despite both being natural winners, it wouldn’t surprise me to see them wobbling a bit in the later stages under the self-imposed pressure to complete the renaissance.
That’s my interest over with. Trump had a couple of good chances in the final frame but missed an easy red to let Carter back in. Fair play to Carter who battled back from 12-9 down. Well done Pat for a good call. Don’t think Trump was anywhere near as good as he can play, not sure how much the food poisoning thing affected him. He’ll be back to try again next year…….. Gaelic Warrior Gold Cup Winner 2026
That really was man against boy in the final frame, seeing Trump slumped in his seat was painful to watch. Only he knows how much the food poisoning took out of him but it will be interesting to see how this defeat affects his game.
The quarter finals are all about O’Sullivan v Robertson. If Ronnie wins I can’t see any of the other players troubling him over 33/35 frames but Robertson is playing well so it could be a classic, it’s really hard to call, probably 13-11 or 13-12 either way.
I think Judd was under alot more pressure this year with all the expectations following his run last time round. Last year he played like he had nothing to lose.
The winner of Ronnie/Robertson will be massive odds on to win the title.
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That’s Hendry done for, he won’t be coming back from there and Ronnie is odds on against Robertson, a bit harsh I think.
Maguire/Jones/Carter and Day/Stevens, not a lot between them in the book really.
Ronnie has to get to the final to keep my interest going now. Come on Ronnie!
Although I am not surprised that Stephen Hendry lost to Stephen Maguire, I am surprised at 13-2 scoreline.
I am even more surprised that Hendry has now announced his retirement from the sport. He said that the decision to retire was made three months ago.
He cites his lack of form as one reason, yet only the other day he was telling the world he was in great form and was capable of winning this year’s tournament.
Maybe it was a knee-jerk reaction to such a heavy defeat and maybe he’ll reconsider. If not, happy retirement Stephen.
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. Although he’s playing v well I don’t think he’s beat alot as Bingham is consistent but nothing special and Higgins has been awful all season, he’s been so bad in fact spec-savers have lined him up for an appearance on one of their television adverts. 
That’s my interest over with. Trump had a couple of good chances in the final frame but missed an easy red to let Carter back in. Fair play to Carter who battled back from 12-9 down. Well done Pat for a good call. Don’t think Trump was anywhere near as good as he can play, not sure how much the food poisoning thing affected him. He’ll be back to try again next year…….. 
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