Century for Zhao and he leads 6-1.

comment by Snooker_49 (U10665)
posted 5 minutes ago
With all the fawning that is done over the Co92, it's factual that in the last 14 seasons (not including the 2025 WSC), Williams and Higgins have won a total of one Triple Crown event.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
They of course deserve credit for their longevity and still being able to mix it in the top 16. But it's noticeable that they aren't as consistent as what they were at their peak and are more negative and nervy when closing matches out, both compared to their younger selves and also those coming up.

Zhao is an outstanding talent obviously but it has to be said the luck has definitely gone massively in his favour up to now.

This isn't all over yet, not by a long way.

comment by White as Snow (U22893)
posted less than a minute ago
Zhao is an outstanding talent obviously but it has to be said the luck has definitely gone massively in his favour up to now.

This isn't all over yet, not by a long way.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
What is it they say, when you play well, the luck goes with you. Apart from maybe the opening frame, Williams has had chances in all the frames, sometimes 2 or 3 and not made the most of them Not scoring heavily enough of putting Zhao under enough pressure.
Zhao will be thinking, I ain't played that well and got a great lead.
It may not be over yet, but Williams has given himself a mountain to climb.

95 break from Zhao and he leads 7-1. Great session from him overall.

comment by kinsang (U3346)
posted 29 minutes ago
comment by White as Snow (U22893)
posted less than a minute ago
Zhao is an outstanding talent obviously but it has to be said the luck has definitely gone massively in his favour up to now.

This isn't all over yet, not by a long way.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
What is it they say, when you play well, the luck goes with you. Apart from maybe the opening frame, Williams has had chances in all the frames, sometimes 2 or 3 and not made the most of them Not scoring heavily enough of putting Zhao under enough pressure.
Zhao will be thinking, I ain't played that well and got a great lead.
It may not be over yet, but Williams has given himself a mountain to climb.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Obviously it's a long way back but i'd be surprised if it turns into complete annihilation. What i'm saying is Zhao has got away with a few poor shots & left nothing.

If Williams can get away with being 6-10 down it could be very interesting tomorrow. He has to win tonight's session though because 5-11 or worse & i think it's game over.

comment by kinsang (U3346)
posted 49 minutes ago
comment by Snooker_49 (U10665)
posted 5 minutes ago
With all the fawning that is done over the Co92, it's factual that in the last 14 seasons (not including the 2025 WSC), Williams and Higgins have won a total of one Triple Crown event.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
They of course deserve credit for their longevity and still being able to mix it in the top 16. But it's noticeable that they aren't as consistent as what they were at their peak and are more negative and nervy when closing matches out, both compared to their younger selves and also those coming up.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Jeez.. Judd's won 5 triple crowns in 20 years... Glass houses and all that..

Not caught the session. Hope Mark can win tonight's session to make tomorrow interesting..

comment by Wetherbyterrier (U2075)
posted 8 minutes ago
comment by kinsang (U3346)
posted 49 minutes ago
comment by Snooker_49 (U10665)
posted 5 minutes ago
With all the fawning that is done over the Co92, it's factual that in the last 14 seasons (not including the 2025 WSC), Williams and Higgins have won a total of one Triple Crown event.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
They of course deserve credit for their longevity and still being able to mix it in the top 16. But it's noticeable that they aren't as consistent as what they were at their peak and are more negative and nervy when closing matches out, both compared to their younger selves and also those coming up.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Jeez.. Judd's won 5 triple crowns in 20 years... Glass houses and all that..
----------------------------------------------------------------------
It was actually a Ronnie fan that mentioned that on a Snooker forum but typical you have to bum those 2 players as always!

Bad mood today Arsenal, Judd fans.. Very frustrating. Not doing the business in the big tournaments since 2005...

Yet all 3 tournaments he won this season were big events and 1 of them was a triple crown event. Oh and you say Judd has "only" won 5 triple crown titles in 20 years which is a percentage of 25% Mark Williams has 7 triple crown titles in 33 years which is a percentage of 21.21% so Judd should realistically overtake him but needs another 2 world titles minimum.

Trump will win his share of world titles. When he's in full flow he's a joy to watch.

Also seems a very genuine guy. Very gracious in defeat.

comment by Snooker_49 (U10665)
posted 2 hours, 49 minutes ago

With all the fawning that is done over the Co92, it's factual that in the last 14 seasons (not including the 2025 WSC), Williams and Higgins have won a total of one Triple Crown event.
=========================================

Not sure I agree with that, I mean I've seen endless fawning recently over Selby and he has won 1 Triple Crown in 8 years and he is a lot younger than these guys.

When Steve Davis reached the QF at the age of 53 beating Higgins, people were creaming themselves and how long had it been since Davis did well at the Worlds or won a ranking title?

Hendry, we all know stopped winning Triple Crowns in 1999 age 30 and ranking events in 2006 aged 37.

So with Higgins and Williams' recent record where they have won ranking events and have also been pretty consistent in the Worlds, I think it deserves to be appreciated. Yes, Ronnie has won the bulk of Triple Crowns over the past 10-15 years and sometimes putting them all together in a group flatters them.

Also, I think one of the reasons Hendry and Davis didn't win as much in their later years was the "Class of 92" anyway. At the time when they would beat the greats, people took it for granted, but I think it now proves it's not that easy.

Anyway, Arsenal I do agree with you in the sense that really they should've been knocked off their perch by now, but you can blame the players younger than them for that. Many players born in the 80s or after have not produced anywhere near as well as they should have at the Crucible.

Had a long drive today and just caught up. Mark was p!sh this afternoon, Zhao seemed to play similar to previously vs Ronnie

86 break from Williams and he trails 7-2.

Well obvious the crowd and the commentary team looking for a Williams fightback

Williams wins the frame and trails 7-3.

It amuses me when they criticise a player when he plays his normal attacking game and he misses, but if he makes it, it's what a great shot that was.

These 2 are wittering too much tonight

comment by kinsang (U3346)
posted less than a minute ago
It amuses me when they criticise a player when he plays his normal attacking game and he misses, but if he makes it, it's what a great shot that was.

These 2 are wittering too much tonight
----------------------------------------------------------------------
It's Virgo.
What did you expect?

Bad miss

70 odd break from Zhao and he leads 8-3.

Zhao needed that one
Good frame to win

56 break from Zhao and he leads 9-3. He guarantees an overnight lead.

comment by Wetherbyterrier (U2075)
posted 10 hours, 4 minutes ago
comment by _Viva_Vida (U6044)
posted 7 minutes ago
Secured tickets for the opening Weekend next year, can't wait
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You might get Williams Or Zhao, defending champ on opening day
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Unfortunately I am viewing Table 2 on the opening night (Saturday) and following morning (Sunday). Table 1 on the Sunday night. Based on this years, I think both Sunday sessions are to a finish.

this years schedule*