Comments on: China Open 2009: Ebdon wins absorbing final http://prosnookerblog.com/2009/04/05/china-open-2009-ebdon-wins-absorbing-final/ Wed, 08 Feb 2012 15:20:36 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: 2009 in Review: Part Two « Pro Snooker Blog http://prosnookerblog.com/2009/04/05/china-open-2009-ebdon-wins-absorbing-final/#comment-2654 2009 in Review: Part Two « Pro Snooker Blog Fri, 25 Dec 2009 22:48:01 +0000 http://prosnookerblog.com/?p=6935#comment-2654 [...] form for the previous 12 months few would have predicted that he would come out on top but by overcoming John Higgins in the final to win his first major title since the 2004 Irish Masters, he gained 5,000 crucial [...] [...] form for the previous 12 months few would have predicted that he would come out on top but by overcoming John Higgins in the final to win his first major title since the 2004 Irish Masters, he gained 5,000 crucial [...]

]]> By: Malcolm http://prosnookerblog.com/2009/04/05/china-open-2009-ebdon-wins-absorbing-final/#comment-2653 Malcolm Mon, 06 Apr 2009 09:20:14 +0000 http://prosnookerblog.com/?p=6935#comment-2653 I actually agree that I think Williams will beat Hendry - I think the first round is often tough anyway and he got probably the toughest draw. (although Williams has been better, he has not been doing enough to show he's returning to his best - 16th in one year list) BUT, if Hendry does got through that match I fancy him to beat Liang or Ding next and then perhaps Murphy in quarters. I think Ebdon beating Higgins was not a surprise - Their head to head record used to be about 11-6 in Ebdon's favour, albeit I don't remember them ever meeting in a final. Although Dott had a good win against Selby, he has a good record in China, so not overly surprising, but he has a few wins this season, but in the crucible, he has a strange record - One win and one final looks great, but of his other 8 appearances, his record is 6 * 1st round losses and 2 * 2nd round losses. It wouldn't surprise me if he loses to Hawkins. If he does get through and Selby as well, I certainly think the match against Selby would have a different outcome than in China I actually agree that I think Williams will beat Hendry – I think the first round is often tough anyway and he got probably the toughest draw. (although Williams has been better, he has not been doing enough to show he’s returning to his best – 16th in one year list) BUT, if Hendry does got through that match I fancy him to beat Liang or Ding next and then perhaps Murphy in quarters. I think Ebdon beating Higgins was not a surprise – Their head to head record used to be about 11-6 in Ebdon’s favour, albeit I don’t remember them ever meeting in a final.

Although Dott had a good win against Selby, he has a good record in China, so not overly surprising, but he has a few wins this season, but in the crucible, he has a strange record – One win and one final looks great, but of his other 8 appearances, his record is 6 * 1st round losses and 2 * 2nd round losses. It wouldn’t surprise me if he loses to Hawkins. If he does get through and Selby as well, I certainly think the match against Selby would have a different outcome than in China

]]> By: dannyboy http://prosnookerblog.com/2009/04/05/china-open-2009-ebdon-wins-absorbing-final/#comment-2652 dannyboy Mon, 06 Apr 2009 07:26:45 +0000 http://prosnookerblog.com/?p=6935#comment-2652 As predicted a few days ago when I said - (April 4th) "Ebdon will win. No doubt about it in my mind, it will be about 10-7 ish. Ebdon tends to win finals, whoever he plays. He has that look about him this week and although you would think Higgins will win, I think on this week’s form Ebdon looks pretty invincible." Although not a tough call I am pretty pleased with the way I am reading the game. I am not sure Ebdon's performance this week can be put in the same category as Hendry's! Anyway I am bias towards Steve Davis and since my predictions are pretty good at the moment I wouldn't be surprised if he had a good battle with Robertson and takes it close or dare I say it wins! Can't see Hendry getting to the semis as stated above in the WC! Not sure two nervy, close wins against Milkins and Walden mean he is back near his best. I will reserve judgement until he beats Williams but by my reckoning Williams is the more likely at present to win that match up, even allowing for his 5-3, 5-4 wins! Dott and Ebdon I feel are more likely to go further at Sheffield as they have proven recent form there and have some more significant recent form. However there will be some surprises and Im hoping Steve pulls it out one more time.....watch out Aussie lad! As predicted a few days ago when I said – (April 4th) “Ebdon will win. No doubt about it in my mind, it will be about 10-7 ish. Ebdon tends to win finals, whoever he plays. He has that look about him this week and although you would think Higgins will win, I think on this week’s form Ebdon looks pretty invincible.” Although not a tough call I am pretty pleased with the way I am reading the game. I am not sure Ebdon’s performance this week can be put in the same category as Hendry’s! Anyway I am bias towards Steve Davis and since my predictions are pretty good at the moment I wouldn’t be surprised if he had a good battle with Robertson and takes it close or dare I say it wins! Can’t see Hendry getting to the semis as stated above in the WC! Not sure two nervy, close wins against Milkins and Walden mean he is back near his best. I will reserve judgement until he beats Williams but by my reckoning Williams is the more likely at present to win that match up, even allowing for his 5-3, 5-4 wins! Dott and Ebdon I feel are more likely to go further at Sheffield as they have proven recent form there and have some more significant recent form. However there will be some surprises and Im hoping Steve pulls it out one more time…..watch out Aussie lad!

]]> By: CRO Snoox http://prosnookerblog.com/2009/04/05/china-open-2009-ebdon-wins-absorbing-final/#comment-2651 CRO Snoox Sun, 05 Apr 2009 21:54:37 +0000 http://prosnookerblog.com/?p=6935#comment-2651 Congratulations to Peter Ebdon, he really deserves it! I'm really glad for him, this will trully be a confidence boost for him for the upcoming world championship! Job well done Peter :-) Congratulations to Peter Ebdon, he really deserves it! I’m really glad for him, this will trully be a confidence boost for him for the upcoming world championship! Job well done Peter :-)

]]> By: Malcolm http://prosnookerblog.com/2009/04/05/china-open-2009-ebdon-wins-absorbing-final/#comment-2650 Malcolm Sun, 05 Apr 2009 17:43:21 +0000 http://prosnookerblog.com/?p=6935#comment-2650 Yes, a very good final. Well done Peter and he fully deserved it. Higgins also made it a good final. Pressure on his top 16 ranking coming into this event, but with Peter Ebdon, when the pressure is on, he thrives and what a way to make the top 16 ranking safe. So close to the worlds now - he'll be coming into the tournament in form, but it is rare for the winner of the penultimate tournament to win the WC. I'd like to see him reach the quarters (perhaps a repeat of his 2001 clash against Stephen Lee in the 2nd round which I watched all three close sessions at the crucible). If he gets to the quarters it could then be a repeat of the 05 QF against Ronnie which would be fascinating. (although I'd like to see Mark Allen upset the apple cart.) Overall, i thought the China Open was one of the best tournaments of the season - A lot of first and second round surprises and the players who did do well were a lot of the established names who have struggled for form like Dott, Hendry and of course Ebdon. Stuart Pettman was a major surprise and beating Dott, Carter and Allen was unexpected. Hendry may have some confidence back - I think the tough match for him will be Williams, but if he wins that I think he will get through to the semis at least. Yes, a very good final. Well done Peter and he fully deserved it. Higgins also made it a good final. Pressure on his top 16 ranking coming into this event, but with Peter Ebdon, when the pressure is on, he thrives and what a way to make the top 16 ranking safe. So close to the worlds now – he’ll be coming into the tournament in form, but it is rare for the winner of the penultimate tournament to win the WC. I’d like to see him reach the quarters (perhaps a repeat of his 2001 clash against Stephen Lee in the 2nd round which I watched all three close sessions at the crucible). If he gets to the quarters it could then be a repeat of the 05 QF against Ronnie which would be fascinating. (although I’d like to see Mark Allen upset the apple cart.)

Overall, i thought the China Open was one of the best tournaments of the season – A lot of first and second round surprises and the players who did do well were a lot of the established names who have struggled for form like Dott, Hendry and of course Ebdon. Stuart Pettman was a major surprise and beating Dott, Carter and Allen was unexpected. Hendry may have some confidence back – I think the tough match for him will be Williams, but if he wins that I think he will get through to the semis at least.

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