I am looking forward to this.
Curious if they are using a template rack or a triangle rack. I think these days I'd assume it's a template. I think a triangle would give SVB a big edge. And I agree with that the pocket sizes will be bigger than 4", I'm sure they will be between 4 1/8-4 1/2.
This is one match that isn't entirely clear to me. In the days that SVB was dominating 10 ball in long sets he had a prohibitive breaking advantage. He could catch his gear and start laying down 2s, 3s, and 5s, and no one could keep up. These days the other players have all learned the break, particularly with template racks. I don't know that SVB will have much of a high gear edge.
On the other hand, back in the days that SVB had that high gear edge he needed it because his game was offense heavy and he was new enough to the scene he wasn't entirely rounded. For example, when he played Alex races to 100 between 2008-2011 Alex won about 2/3rds of the games that lasted multiple innings, meaning SVB was at a moving disadvantage. Of course Alex was the premier mover at the time, but I think SVB's moving game has gotten quite a big stronger since then.
So when looking at this match up there might be some small edges with the break and high gear for SVB, the jumping for Fedor, etc, we are talking about two absolute top level players with all skills developed. I don't see huge gaps on either side.
Could it come down to the mental side? Desire and comfort playing in this format? I would probably give Fedor the desire edge, but maybe not. Maybe SVB has gotten fatigued at what feels like flipping coins in short set tournament formats against robots, and is excited to stretch his legs with the long set format that favors old school gear catching style. He feels he is the best in the world in this format and it is one that he feels is actually a good measure of prowess. It might mean a lot to him to send a message to the world that he wasn't the best of 2010, but that he is still able to dominate today's players in a long set format. So I think they're both hungry.
And SVB definitely has more experience in these long set formats, and playing for big cash. Years ago I wouldn't have thought that made a huge difference, but I've seen big money affect tournament players in surprising ways, and this format can be one that favors experience. Easy to say 'just play your game and let the score take care of itself', but in practice I've seen it make a difference. I know Fedor has gambled before andplayed long sets before, but SVB definitely has much more comfort in this format.
I really don't know what will happen, which is why this is going to be a fun match to sweat. I can totally see SVB catching massive gears and putting up big packages and a technically solid but someone tight Fedor being unable to keep up. But I can also see Fedor playing robot perfect, calmly matching SVBs big innings with sound play, grinding out little edges, and frustrating SVB who just wants to freewheel his way to victory but can't make that happen.
But while I don't know who will win, I definintely know I'm going to be picking a horse and sweating the action!
He has balls.
