This match will NOT be decided on the break! You heard it here first. Playing on a Diamond with four and an eighth inch pockets, there won't be that many balls going on the break, and a lot fewer run-outs as well. NO ONE will be stringing any racks. Good safety play will be key! This match is going to be a long grinding affair, which may favor Alex. Shane wore down in his last match with Earl.
On the flip side, Shane may be peaking right now as a player. He has finally made it all the way to the top of the food chain. No one fazes him anymore, be they filipino, Chinese or Brit! These pockets may prove too tight, I'm thinking 4.25" on Diamonds is really tough. This will be the tightest Diamond ever! I have visions of what happened to Oscar and John Morra on the minus 4" pockets at Hard Times. The table won that match.
I'd be thinking 4.25 here and not 4 and an 1/8. The super tight pockets will change the game and the strategy. They won't look for the run out all the time and will be ducking on tough shots. I don't really know who the super tight pockets favor. Both players shoot super straight. Regardless, we will see missed shots, lots of them! Especially from distance. Playing close position is the name of the game here. So you tell me who controls the cue ball best. That will be your winner. Not the straightest shooter.
Like all of you, I'm looking forward to this one. I return from the PI on Sept. 15 so I can pull up a chair and sweat it along with you. Don't ask me how I'm betting, cause I don't know. Last time I had 500 on Shane and it looked real good at 65-43, and we all know what happened next. I got so caught up in the amazing comeback I totally forgot about my bet.
I don't think either player will shoot a .900 accu-stats rating. I'd bet on that! And I'd bet no one will run over three racks at any time in the match. I'll take 2-1 and bet no one runs three full racks (no short racks). GAL only!
