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> I think it was a tactic to get in Ronnie's head. It totally threw him
> off his game, although Ronnie wasn't playing his best in the World
> Championship.
It wasn't all of Ebdon's doing though. Ronnie did absolutely nothing to help the situatuion. He gave out all the wrong signals in the first half of the session. He asked a member of the audience the time, he kept on looking up at Ray Reardon and he even laughed at one of Ebdon's shots. This would have made Peter Ebdon think that his tactic was working and that would have boosted his confidence.
These semi-finals have turned out to be a bit crap really. I wanted to see Mark Williams get through. It's probably a good thing that Ronnie has gone as it opens the tournament up a bit. Personally I would like to see Ian McCulloch take it. He had the match of the championship with Mark Williams and then gave Alan McManus a battering. I think Stevens is most likely to take it though.
The way Ebdon is playing today suggests he's listened to the critisism because he is playing a lot faster.
I think it was a tactic to get in Ronnie's head. It totally threw him off his game, although Ronnie wasn't playing his best in the World Championship.
Ebdon yesterday was unbelievable, very unsporting if he was really dragging it out just to put Ronnie off. 15 minutes for a 12 point break?! Was disappointing to see Ronnie talking about leaving the game, but he'll be back. Seems like the type of guy that needs a break every now and then to get his head together. He was funny yesterday though, rolling his eyes at Ebbo and asking for the time from spectators.
Gotta agree though, my money would be on Stevens, with maybe a pound on Ebdon to be safe.
That alone would make me tip him against newcomer Murphy, if the young guy didn't show so much maturity.
As it is, Ebdon hasn't been playing well consistently, and Murphy is on strong form.
Provided Murphy keeps his head (I think he will), and his beautiful cue action doesn't cave under pressure, he should beat Ebdon.
But this looks like Stevens' year to me.
Matthew Stevens Vs Ian McCulloch
Peter Ebdon Vs Shaun Murphy
It might be worth picking one of 3 and putting a bet on, Matthew Stevens hasn't really been at his best since his father died, Peter Ebdon has never struck me as a world champion despite winning a couple of years ago and the idea of him as a multiple champion would have been unthinkable not long ago, Shaun Murphy has always been the rising star who has never risen very far and Ian McCulloch who just isn't the type of player to be world champion.
I hope Stevens
I'll bet Murphy
I expect Ebdon