And still the frame goes on, I don't think Mark really believes we will win this frame but he is doing everything he can to slow Ding down who has built up quite a bit of momentum. I personally don't like this kind of tactics.
Redcafe Snooker
- Thread starter Ronnie O'Sullivan
- Start date
Yeah, pretty much. I actually find it kind of entertaining in that there's a real tactical battle in frames like which require a lot of mental strength, and the length of such matches make it more epic-feeling because of how long it is. It must be incredibly frustrating for an opponent though, and it's probably not what a casual viewer would want to see.
For what it's worth though, he is only one snooker behind, and all players would continue on when at that. Especially when he's massively capable as a safety player.
It's certainly a tactic for the snooker purest, I myself as a reasonable player admire the skill and temperament needed, especially being shown by Ding at the moment who looked sure to have the frame in the bag but I don't think if I were in Ding's position I'd be able to keep such a cool head which is of course what Selby is hoping for.
Yeah, it's incredible the way he's making a frame where Ding's the expected winner feel like a real achievement for him. Interestingly, half the time he tends to prioritise the safety ahead of the snooker, which he ultimately needs but comes second to getting it safe.
This frame will never end.
Ffs, Selby continues.
This is getting rediculous now.
This frame is torture.
These pinks aren't difficult to hit, pointless stuff.
Finially!!!!
Surprised Selby didn't want to continue for snookers on the black.
Thank feck for that.
I appreciate Selby's talent and ability to play like that for so long, but he don't half make snooker excruciating to watch.
I appreciate Selby's talent and ability to play like that for so long, but he don't half make snooker excruciating to watch.
That was a like a Stewart Lee bit that goes on for too long becomes immensely frustrating and somehow finds itself being funny
To be fair to Selby, if I were a pro I'd continue in situations like that. Makes sense to continue when you're only a couple of snookers away. The length at which he draws it out is a bit brutal though.
It feels weird to see so many balls on the table again. Selby makes you think the aim is not to pot them.
Have any of you ever been to live Snooker like this? Is it not incredibly uncomfortable watching for such a long time at a venue?
I think a lot of players would've continued the frame, it's just that they would probably mess up a safety shot or snooker attempt much sooner than Selby, ending the frame. It's horribly boring to watch but fascinating at the same time.
"Jester from Leicester" is a poor nickname for Selby. I saw a suggestion for "70 minute Selby" which is probably more appropriate.
Mark Selby has got what he wanted out of that long drawn out tactical battle in which I don't think he even thought he had a chance of winning the frame from it but it's unsettled Ding for sure. It's not pretty viewing and not what you really want to see but Selby is known for these sort of tactics, it's how he beat Ronnie couple of years back.
Every frame is like a fecking tournament in itself right now.
It's ironic for the day that's in it that, despite being from Leicester, Selby is actually the LVG of snooker.
Good God, Selby can be a bore at the worst of times but put him in a best of 30+ against an evenly matched opponent and it just becomes an unfortunate long slog.
Yeah, I reckon it ultimately had the desired result for Selby, despite losing the frame. Ding had real rhythm and I'd have fancied him to have won at least one of the next two frames after that.
Gould won a frame against Ding needing 4 snookers (!). One is nothing, especially for such a tactical master such as Selby. Didn't work that time, but you do continue playing for sure.
And agreed with that. Selby put Ding in like 20 snookers during the frame, don't think many others would be that good in that regard....Ding was awesome too and I personally enjoyed that battle. Like in last frame as well when the tables were turned.
And agreed with that. Selby put Ding in like 20 snookers during the frame, don't think many others would be that good in that regard....Ding was awesome too and I personally enjoyed that battle. Like in last frame as well when the tables were turned.
Mark Selby just ruins any excitement for Snooker as a game. The big bosses must hate him getting to finals.
I think 10-7 overnight, after a really draining session, will prove to be too much for Ding. It gives Selby a target to hang in for and he now knows that if he keeps grinding it out and not allow Ding to get up a head of steam that he's likely to hit a rocky patch at some point and he'll end up 4 or 5 ahead, which will allow him to play exactly the sort of attritional game he likes.
That's what I'm thinking too. That frame, as boring and tedious as it was, certainly had the exact effect Selby always plays for. It's dull, it's a turn off for the tv audience, but the man knows how to win.
I really enjoyed the tactical battle last night. I like that Selby can bring you the variety of heavy scoring and/or heavy safety play. And the safety play is some of the best you'll see.
Good to see Ding showcase his quality with the escapes and counter safety as well
Good to see Ding showcase his quality with the escapes and counter safety as well
Absolutely. And I think that it will also prove to Selby that if Ding looks like he's getting away from him at some point that he can basically kill his rhythm at will. For me, the problem is that even if Ding wins the afternoon session 6-2 and end up leading 13-12 I'd still make him no better than 50-50. Even winning 5-3 and starting the evening session 12-13 down would probably be too much against the best clutch player in the game. Basically I'm not sure I can see how Ding wins it from here unless he has two of the best sessions of his life.
The issue is Ding is almost the perfect opponent for Selby. Ding needs rhythm and he needs fluidity. He also gets frustrated when it's not happening. Selby knows that if Ding is on it, he can kill the flow by playing a long, tedious, tactical frame. I can't see Ding winning unless he literally goes on a ruthless and continuous streak. And that is next to impossible for two sessions on the bounce and when Selby has the tools to take him out of that zone.
Never been a massive fan of Snooker but had it on in the background last night and by the end I was glued to it, really looking forward to the next session. That 40 minute frame was incredible!
Ding won the first frame of this session, now 10-8.
Nice, hope when I get back home it's still a close affair. I'm invested in the final after last night now.
Great frame for Ding to win, that.
Cmon Ding! That was nerveless, but he needs to keep in that killer frame of mind when he's in touching distance.
Maximum alert!
6 reds and 6 blacks so far.
6 reds and 6 blacks so far.
Aw I'd just switched it back on after watching GOT and noticed that! Shame.
No maximum but a wonderful century from Ding again, this final is heating up!
Good watch, this.
Selby 13-10 up with two left in the session. Ding needs the next couple to have any chance, IMO. And I think Selby will get at least one of the remaining two.