At 12-2 down it looked as though Steve Davis would come down to earth with a bump and suffer his first defeat at the Crucible with a session to spare since a 13-3 loss to Ken Doherty back in 1997. While he did manage to take the last two frames to extend the match to a third session however, the remaining three quarter-finals are all finely balanced headed into Wednesday…
After his narrow escape against Martin Gould the other day it is perhaps typical that this time it is the Australian Robertson who is the one with a healthy lead against six-times champion Steve Davis. After his epic victory against John Higgins it was always going to be a tough ask for Steve to repeat those heroics and in racing to a 7-1 lead after the first session it looked like the match could be over with a session to spare. Fair play to Steve though he recorded a stunning century break, his 46th at the Crucible Theatre, to show that he was not totally out of the picture and snatched the last two frames on the colours to take the match into tomorrow.
Over on the other side of the curtain however, Mark Allen and 2006 champion Graeme Dott finished up level at 8-8, despite Mark actually getting off to a perfect start by taking the first four frames of this morning’s session. Of all the player’s left in the tournament however Graeme is arguably the most determined and with a top 16 place awaiting him at the expense of Jamie Cope should he complete a shock victory, I just have a gut feeling that he will find a way to win. Will be fascinating to find out.
Meanwhile the other two matches of the day are also finely poised with Ronnie O’Sullivan and Mark Selby locked at 4-4 and Shaun Murphy holding a narrow 5-3 advantage over 2008 finalist Ali Carter. Whilst I did not see either session I understand that whilst it was Selby who was relieved to get to the interval level at four each with Stephen Hendry in his previous match, this time it would have been O’Sullivan who was not quite at his best and will be the happier of the two.
Shaun Murphy though was very impressive last night in finishing off Ding Junhui and picked up where he left off against Carter by taking the first two frames this morning on the way to that 5-3 lead. I have been impressed with Carter’s consistency over the past couple of seasons but I would expect Shaun to come through this match and book his place in the last four eventually, though it is far from a certainty.
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8 comments
Mal says:
April 27, 2010 at 10:42 pm (UTC 0 )
Don’t underestimate Mark Allen’s battling qualities – He didn’t play that well himself, but he does like the longer matches and should pace himself well and I think he will play much better in the morning – not much of a break for them and as he was leaving he signalled he was off for a drink – Hope he just had the one and is resting now!
Davis will want to make the score respectable by getting another frame or two, but I think Robertson will see it out very quickly 13-4 or 13-5.
I agree about Murphy and as for Selby- Ronnie – Well Ronnie missed some shockers, but he did have a very favourable run of the balls – Selby didn’t play well either – I don’t think Selby is the type to dwell on what might have beens – he will look at the positives and know it could also have been worse – He knows that Ronnie can of course play better, but also so can he and it reminds me of Allen – O’Sullivan last year when everyone said Mark had missed the boat when he went in 4-4 – O’Sullivan played much better after this, but so did Mark and he held on to Ronnie coat tails to be only 9-7 down and came through at the end of the match playing some scintillating stuff – I think Selby will improve tomorrow as will Ronnie and it could be a crucible classic
matt2745 says:
April 27, 2010 at 10:44 pm (UTC 0 )
Oh don’t get me wrong, I’d love Mark to win it. Just got a gut feeling with Dott that he’ll do it, did have before they started.
Then again I’m usually wrong so we shall see!
Bryan says:
April 27, 2010 at 10:57 pm (UTC 0 )
Hope steve can win another couple to make the scoreline look a little better, if only he took some of chances this morning it could have been different.
I though Dott and Allen was going to be a cracker, and from the small bit i got to see thats the way its going but won get to see it in the morning, god i hate having to work!
Selby against Ronnie will really kick off now and will be a crucible classic, going to say 13-12 ronnie
Shawerr says:
April 28, 2010 at 4:06 am (UTC 0 )
Graeme Dott is the most underestimated world champion ever. For me he is miles ahead of Allen as a snooker player at the moment. Allen needs to grow.
matt2745 says:
April 28, 2010 at 6:21 pm (UTC 0 )
I wouldn’t say miles ahead, I mean 13-12 is as close as it gets…but he’s got that experience and knows how to win which can count for a lot against someone like Allen, particularly when it gets close.
Bryan says:
April 28, 2010 at 7:52 pm (UTC 0 )
Agreed, Allen has improved considerably in the past two years and can push on again next year and become a truly top player.
Iam not a fan of Dott but you have to say fair play to him he as played some great stuff all week and as worked his way back into top 16. But i wanted Cope to make it!
dannyboy says:
April 28, 2010 at 9:17 pm (UTC 0 )
Ronnie out. Selby v Dott – not a classic match up for a semi final even though both are very good at the game. For me the tournament is up for grabs now. Selby will fancy it but maybe Robertson will take it now. Didnt like the way Selby finished the match although the outburst after match ball seems to be autmatic these days. Ronnie went flat after being ahead most of the way! Selby is a great player but just not as pleasing to the eye to watch.
matt2745 says:
April 28, 2010 at 9:18 pm (UTC 0 )
What do you mean exactly by the way he finished the match, his play or the celebration?