Wildey wrote:Snooker Overdrive wrote:Andre147 PGC wrote:I just love the matches between these 2, they have very similar styles of play and there's this thing when both face each other... I compare it to the Djokovic v Nadal when they face each other... often one player gets 2 or 3 wins in a row, but then the other bounces back with another 2 or 3, and so on...
This is a fascinating rivarly, I was waiting they faced each other at this stage last year but they didnt, so very happy it has happened this year.
And you know what, I may be one of the very few here, but I believe Selby will win this match... His game seems to be getting back together plus his scoring game has seemed better in this tournament...
I think it's crucial Selby starts well in the first 2 sessions, that is the only way I see him winning this match...
Robbo on the other hand and with that 100 tons out of his mind now will feel more relaxed, so it will surely help him to play well.
But as opposed to what many think I actually believe Selby will give it everything he has to win this match and I think he will, problem is he'll be drained mentally and that doesnt bode well for a possible final v Ronnie.
Whoever comes through this match will have spent a lot of mental energy, and for me Selby will come out as the winner.
Good post.
Robbo will be favourite on paper but Selby will be so up for this. In 2010 Mark lost a semi he should have won and he knows he's running out of time. He will give this match a 100%. Neil already had 2 very tough matches in a row now and he looked vulnerable against Allen and Trump in the early parts of his matches.
Should be a cracker, a titanic battle, match play of the highest level.
But Neil upped his game under pressure in both matches and i bet that hasent gone unnoticed by Selby
He did up his game no doubt, but only after both of his opponents left him easy chances because prior to Robbo winning all those sucessive frames Allen and Judd left him in easily, but all credit to Neil for still making the most of every chance he got.
My point is Selby will tightten up his safety game and wont let Robbo in that easily, and like SO said Selby will want to go one better this year as opposed to 2010, he really should have won that match but he himself admited that by the 4th session he had nothing left to give, and that was clear to see.
Hopefully the same doesnt happen here.
As I said Selby needs to start strong especially in the first 2 sessions, needs to score heavily like he did against McManus in the 2nd session, if he manages to do that he has every chance of beating Neil, and like I said I actually think Selby will make the Final, but it will be a titanic battle, thats why their matches are always lovely to watch, one of the most enjoyable match ups in Snooker in my opinion, never a dull match between the two because both bring the best out of each other and there are so many twists and turns when both play.
Cant wait, and if it's not asking much a deciding frame or at least 30 or above frames played would be very nice.