O'Sullivan v Ding - Role Reversal

[Boro Nut]

On the verge of winning the Masters at Wembley it is amazing to see Ronnie seemingly having to convince Ding not the throw in the towel. I understand he's in Ding's dressing room now, during the session break.

How ironic in light of Ronnie's recent walkout. I don't know whether it is just too much for Ding (still only 19 remember) playing O'Sullivan in such irresistible form in front of a raucous hometown crowd, but it's what all players have to get used to in a London arena. They're very partisan. It's even worse for those drawn against Jimmy White.

I hope this doesn't set Ding back. He's been a breath of fresh air on the snooker scene. It's ages since a truly intimidating youngster emerged (eg. Hendry/Osullivan).

Boro Nut

 

[JasonDevanney]

I don't think he's walked out. But i think some of the crowd were getting under his skin.

Shandy-Drinking Southerners!!!!!!

 

[big_worm]

Ding said after the game he was not giving up.
He thought it was best-of-17!
(Ding beat O'sullivan in the best-of-17 final of N Ireland Open last year)

Congrats to The Rocket.
He's on fire today and won it deservedly.

 

[Boro Nut]

Ding said after the game he was not giving up.
He thought it was best-of-17.

Then he would have hung around for the presentation if he thought the match was over, not walk straight out of the arena for the mid session interval. He almost looked broken.

I really hope he bounces back. After a night's sleep he'll realise he reached another major final, and received a massive boost to his ranking - strange as it may seem I think he was only a wild-card entry here.

Boro Nut

 

[chilli66]

I read that Ding was upset by comments from someone in the audience. Now, while I'll never condone any crap from some idiot in the crowd it does surprise me sometimes how much it can disturb the players. I know they're playing for huge sums of cash & the glory but most players started off in snooker halls & let's be honest, most halls are not the quietest of places.

Maybe it's just me, I'm fortunate enough to be able to shut out what goes on around me when I play. Plus I grew up playing in noisy places!

Whatever it was, I really was expecting a much closer battle between Ding & Ronnie. Maybe he had an off day. Still, at only 19 he's got a fantastic future ahead of him.

 

[Scaramouche]

It seem to me that the pressure was getting to Ding.

Twice he missed when he was a red and a colour from winning the rack.

Twice we hammered the rack spreading the balls all over the table and creating traffic problems for himself.

Ding had more centuries, including a 147, going into the final. In the final Ronnie was much better than when he played McGuire in the semi.

Would love to see them tangle again.

 

[Double-Dave]

Then he would have hung around for the presentation if he thought the match was over, not walk straight out of the arena for the mid session interval. He almost looked broken.

I really hope he bounces back. After a night's sleep he'll realise he reached another major final, and received a massive boost to his ranking - strange as it may seem I think he was only a wild-card entry here.

Boro Nut

Indeed. Quite disheartening to see that. Ding must have felt like he was playing very well (at least at the start of the match) but there was nothing he could do to stop Ronnie. I haven't seen any of the post match interviews yet, should be interesting. I do believe (not shure either) that he was placed in this event. He will have to qualify for the WC if I heard John Virgo correctly.

gr. Dave