World Snooker Championship (2025 Event from Page 3)

I watched this afternoons session but not this evening so this might be incorrect with my judgement..

Luca has a problem with pressure. One of my favourite players to watch. If things go wrong however he doesn't wilt, instead he crashes and burns. He can really turn it on as he did this afternoon but a few missed opportunities blows it for him and a more all rounded player (who can also be exciting to watch in Trump) can get passed him. So wanted Luca to win. 

red10 said:

MrOneLung said:

Gravesend_Addick said:

Delighted Williams won.  Don't like Higgins

thank god the would be fixer lost - cheat

Fixer?, sorry what have I missed? Anybody able to help with this? Genuine question as the fun prevention officer and I really enjoy snooker on the telly. Ta.

Got done 15 years or so ago for not reporting being asked to fix matches - was a fake News of the World sting so didn't actually get done for match fixing, just not reporting the approach.  

Was all concocted up by their 'fake sheikh', Mazher Mahmood - the guy who later got done for perverting the course of justice.

How much Higgins intended to go ahead with the match fixing if it hadn't been fake, I guess we'll never know.

I’m of the opinion that once yo be served your suspension you should be able to carry on. People deserve second chances in my opinion 

Lincsaddick said:

North Lower Neil said:

red10 said:

MrOneLung said:

Gravesend_Addick said:

Delighted Williams won.  Don't like Higgins

thank god the would be fixer lost - cheat

Fixer?, sorry what have I missed? Anybody able to help with this? Genuine question as the fun prevention officer and I really enjoy snooker on the telly. Ta.

Got done 15 years or so ago for not reporting being asked to fix matches - was a fake News of the World sting so didn't actually get done for match fixing, just not reporting the approach.  

Was all concocted up by their 'fake sheikh', Mazher Mahmood - the guy who later got done for perverting the course of justice.

How much Higgins intended to go ahead with the match fixing if it hadn't been fake, I guess we'll never know.

Zhao Xintong was also banned for match fixing, a 20 month ban that finished in September 2024. 
He shouldn't be in this tournament no matter how talented he is. He could well win this proving that cheats can prosper

Zhao Xintong never fixed any matches 

He got caught up with the wrong crowd(Yan Bingtao and Liang Wenbo) and bet on matches involving Bingtao who was fixing matches, he corporated fully with the investigation hence why his ban was low to begin with and then reduced even more, 

We have all done things in the past we regret, but put yourself in his shoes, your in a foreign country away from your family and your support network and the people your trust the people you believe are your friends are telling you, this is a quick way to make money, no one will ever find out, I don't blame him for falling for it, from what I have heard Bingtao and Wenbo were very convincing(Wenbo apparently very violent as well) 

Xintong deserves a second chance, anyone who has actually fixed a match does not imo because that risk will always be there, but if you haven't fixed a match why does he not deserve a 2nd chance

I can only see Trump winning this tournament. He played poorly tonight but Williams couldn't take advantage.  O'Sullivan probably has too much nous for Zhao. Zhao has loads of talent but needs to improve in several areas of the game. Also I think he is a bit jaded after playing so many matches. 
Can't really write O'Sullivan off but he would be second favourite if he plays Trump. 

paulie8290 said:

Interested to know why you lol that @Lincsaddick what exactly was it I said that made you laugh, I stated facts about Xintong as lots of people online have been saying he was banned for match fixing and I think it should be made clear he was never actually charged with fixing any matches just betting on matches that were fixed by other people 

Just laughable that you claim to know so much about the case, when the reality is, you're guessing, putting your own slant on the issue.
As @Chris_from_Sidcup says, he was 26 when involved, not a little boy. How do you know that he didn't discuss the fixing, was not an enthusiastic part of a set that set out to cheat and might have gone on to be involved in other fixed games before the affair was discovered, conjectures on my part of course.
It seems that at best he was betting on fixed matches with no 'evidence' that he was coerced.

You might have your opinions, just don't dress them up as facts.
Another point i m o. There is a dearth of younger talent in snooker. Two of the semi finalists are nearly 50, same old faces.
I suspect that Hearn and crew are desperate to keep talented players on 'the tour' even given past gross misdemeanours. 

paulie8290 said:

Lincsaddick said:

North Lower Neil said:

red10 said:

MrOneLung said:

Gravesend_Addick said:

Delighted Williams won.  Don't like Higgins

thank god the would be fixer lost - cheat

Fixer?, sorry what have I missed? Anybody able to help with this? Genuine question as the fun prevention officer and I really enjoy snooker on the telly. Ta.

Got done 15 years or so ago for not reporting being asked to fix matches - was a fake News of the World sting so didn't actually get done for match fixing, just not reporting the approach.  

Was all concocted up by their 'fake sheikh', Mazher Mahmood - the guy who later got done for perverting the course of justice.

How much Higgins intended to go ahead with the match fixing if it hadn't been fake, I guess we'll never know.

Zhao Xintong was also banned for match fixing, a 20 month ban that finished in September 2024. 
He shouldn't be in this tournament no matter how talented he is. He could well win this proving that cheats can prosper

Zhao Xintong never fixed any matches 

He got caught up with the wrong crowd(Yan Bingtao and Liang Wenbo) and bet on matches involving Bingtao who was fixing matches, he corporated fully with the investigation hence why his ban was low to begin with and then reduced even more, 

We have all done things in the past we regret, but put yourself in his shoes, your in a foreign country away from your family and your support network and the people your trust the people you believe are your friends are telling you, this is a quick way to make money, no one will ever find out, I don't blame him for falling for it, from what I have heard Bingtao and Wenbo were very convincing(Wenbo apparently very violent as well) 

Xintong deserves a second chance, anyone who has actually fixed a match does not imo because that risk will always be there, but if you haven't fixed a match why does he not deserve a 2nd chance

His career prize money is hundreds of thousands of pounds, so no excuse for fixing or betting on matches. He knew what he was doing.   He did the wrong thing & was rightfully punished.  I personally think the ban should've been longer, but that's just my view.

That said, he's a great player & has a great chance of winning the title this year.

Ronnie not at the races!

Can't see it happening unless zaho has a meltdown 

Good half a session between trump and williams. Williams coming back the last two frames.
7 - 5 to trump at the moment. 

Sad to see Ronnie like this 

Southendaddick said:

Sad to see Ronnie like this 

I'm loving it.
Something about the bloke I cannot stand

Pity the punters who’ve shelled out @ £100 to see a semi final to its conclusion but due to early finish will now get Davis and Taylor playing an exhibition game. I’m sure it’ll be great but not what you’d pay that much for. They really should be refunding some money.

I take back what I said previously/  Ronnie is clearly in decline.  Once he was put under pressure, he missed so many easy balls.  Clearly has lost confidence in his own ability.

I'm not sure we'll see much more of him on the tour.  As much as I'm not a fan of him as a person, that will be sad for the sport.

Gravesend_Addick said:

I take back what I said previously/  Ronnie is clearly in decline.  Once he was put under pressure, he missed so many easy balls.  Clearly has lost confidence in his own ability.

I'm not sure we'll see much more of him on the tour.  As much as I'm not a fan of him as a person, that will be sad for the sport.

he still picked up 100 grand for a semi spot .. all the time he can earn big he'll be there and still boring us with his moaning and bullshit chat I reckon .. claims today he's moving to the 'middle east'