Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters

Hard to see past Trump for the title on present form. Plus he has had his bit of luck clinching victory from the jaws of defeat in an earlier round so he is even more sharp.

Judd's inability to see off frames allowed Tubbs to take him to a decider, and even getting in first and establishing a 50 point lead it did seem it might be inevitable that Tubbs was fated to win the tournament and take home the £500,000 when Judd was only 20 ahead and Tubbs had the first chance at making a 25 clearance. Tubbs missed the green trying to get position on the brown, and although Judd potted it to leave Tubbs needing snookers, the final exchanges were very nervy with Judd being the most relieved man in the arena when he sank the pink and put the game to bed 6-5. Tubbs takes home £100,000 of Saudi money but it could have been a lot worse.

Mark Williams and Si Jiahui both like to go for their shots and create their own chances but on the day Mark's more relaxed, unorthodox style won the day 6-3. Mark is a law unto himself and if he has the mojo, Judd's going to find him tough to beat.

Si Jiahui is in the top 16 for the first time. He was one of the Chinese players that did well in this tournament, and if the World Championship does come to Saudi Arabia, despite all the criticisms, it is at least a neutral venue for the Chinese players to take on the players from the British Isles.

(06-09-2024 20:01 )Joannis Wrote:  and if the World Championship does come to Saudi Arabia, despite all the criticisms, it is at least a neutral venue for the Chinese players to take on the players from the British Isles.

So are most countries in the world, to be fair. In fact, Saudi Arabia might be closer to Chinese support than British.

EDIT - er, and well done Judd & Mark.

Wow! What a final! Judd Trump won 10-9 on the final black! When Mark Williams has his mojo working he's practically unplayable; he makes risky long pots look easy, he creates chances out of nothing, and he doesn't seem to feel the pressure. Judd made the most of the chances Williams did leave him to force a decider. Judd left a loose red from his break off and Williams potted it and made a 62 break, but left Judd a difficult red into the middle. Judd bravely went for the red, potted it, and made a 72 clearance to win on the black.

Judd is now so far ahead of everyone else in the rankings, he could be World no.1 for some time to come.

Yeah the merits of having that amount of prize money and ensuing ranking points for a tournament that is not a triple crown event are somewhat questionable imo.

^ I think with the money involved they'll probably end up just adding it to the existing "majors" and having four majors, making a quadruple crown, doesn't have the same ring to it

Golf and tennis have 4 majors, snooker will surely follow suit with the Saudi Masters.

An incredible final frame decider, they couldn't have asked for more value for their money.