Friday 18 April 2014

Ronnie O'Sullivan v Robin Hull

Joe Perry v Jamie Burnett

Shaun Murphy v Jamie Cope

Marco Fu v Martin Gould

Barry Hawkins v Dave Gilbert

Ricky Walden v Kyren Wilson

Mark Davis v Dominic Dale

Ding Junhui v Michael Wasley

Mark Selby v Michael White

Ali Carter v Xiao Guodong

John Higgins v Alan McManus

Stuart Bingham v Ken Doherty

Judd Trump v Tom Ford

Stephen Maguire v Ryan Day

Mark Allen v Michael Holt

Neil Robertson v Robbie Williams

Ronnie O'Sullivan will face Robin Hull, the lowest-ranked player in the competition, in round one of the World Championship in Sheffield.

O'Sullivan, 38, starts on Saturday against Finland's world number 122, who last played at the Crucible in 2002.

World number one Neil Robertson faces Robbie Williams as he looks to win the title for a second time.

Thursday 17 April 2014

Neil Robertson knows that what the meaning of Ronnie O’Sullivan for snooker is. The new number one interviewed with Eurosport.com Turkey.

Interviewer : I
Neil Robertson : NR

I : Are you satisfied with your performance in Sofia?

NR : Yes, I guess. In the first day of tournament, I could have come to Sofia at 03.00 a.m. and not to have any problem after this exhausting flight is really important for me. As a result, native opponents you played have a serious motivation against you. Not to give any hope in match and not to give rise to thought like “Hey, I can beat you” are significant. You can go on your way when you do like this.

I : In these days, snooker is more globalized with Barry Hearn’s “enlargement” idea. Stephen Hendry is not within the plan and Ronnie O’Sullivan probably won’t be there anymore. We know that most players at Main Tour do not like PTCs and do not want to be out of United Kingdom. What is your opinion about this issue? Does the ruthless schedule have careers of players ended?

NR : I agree with Barry Hearn. Look, before two years ago, income which you can earn when you win one stage of PTCs, for example in Sofia, was just 8000£. However, Barry led to double or even triple money prizes in this game played by professionals as spreading the worldwide. Today, if you are a champion in Sofia, you will get money prize like more than 20000£.

Participation to Main Tour increased much more with the idea of “New Snooker”. This game is now more popular than before. We, snooker players, were competing 12 stages of PTC until this season. Now, there are only 8 stages of PTC in schedule. Also, we don’t have to participate in all tournaments. It is preferred by players in the end. As I said before, we have a magnificent tournament system and I really get great pleasure to be in the Main Tour.

I : You were really successful, especially the second half of the calendar in the last year. Victory at China Open you titled is an important milestone for you as well as PTC Finals. So.. I guess, you realized. What happened to you at Crucible?

NR : As you said, International Open, PTC Finals and Masters. I have reached the final in these tournaments. After I got the China Open, I had given myself a week off. I had 20 days to Crucible and I felt that I must have a rest. This week when I went on Holiday and did not do any training caused being eliminated the first round of the World Championship. I was not ready neither physically nor mentally.

Besides all these, I got a very tough draw. World number 19 Robert Milkins, he is not one of the names that you'd prefer in the first round at Crucible. I had a very, very good opponent in front of me. But let me tell you, if I had done training properly, I would have probably the most over the quarter-finals. I was very tired and did not have the energy to imagine going to win the tournament.

Ohh, are you asking what would happen if I had come to World Championship as I was mentally ready? Ronnie O'Sullivan.. did not you see? I would most probably be gone down by Ronnie.

I : So burn-out? After saying goodbye to WSC in the second round, Mark Selby said that he was exhausted now. Did you ever think you got such an idea?

NR : It is not much, yet I had some short periods of burnout. Professional burnout is not a feeling occurring after each failure. It is a syndrome and you cannot reduce it is simplistic. When I compared to Mark, my problem was not to do what I've done in the other tournaments throughout the season at Crucible and before that. I could not fulfill my rituals.

I also need to add that, the standard in this year's World Championship is lower than I have not seen in a very long time. I think, that's the reason of Ronnie's domination. Players in Main Tour had too much matches during the season so Ronnie went to the very top standard.

Anyway, get back to get the question. I think that a lot of players suffer from burnout undoubtfully. Hendry, O'Sullivan and even Selby, all of these names are in the history of this game. Well, if all of them say that they lived it, they lived. However, as I mentioned at the top to be reminded that this place. Actually, it is not the reason of leaving from Crucible earlier. There were external factors but the main problem was that I had not shown enough respect to Crucible in that period.

I played in 80 percent of tournaments in the last season just so I characterize it as the best season of my career.

I : You could keep the world number one in 2010, just two and half months, now you are again on the top of rankings. Ronnie O'Sullivan repeatedly said that world ranking does not mean anything to him, does it for you?

NR : Of course. For instance, after the 2010 World Champion Title, I was thinking no one can defeat me. My self-confidence increased sharply. Victory against Ronnie O'Sullivan in the World Open Finals in Glasgow is a result of that. Self-confidence.

Being on top of the world ranking gives me a feeling of self-confidence rather than pressure. I don't feel like there is an obligation. On the contrary, I'm the world number one because I have accomplished something and I try to enjoy.

This is not about ego, believe me. "To be the world number one is not important for me. I know that I'm the best." Ronnie's words. None of us do not like Ronnie, it cannot be. Ronnie O'Sullivan is the best in the world and he knows it.

I : Reanne Evans, who are fighting for a wildcard in Wuxi and who has nine women World Championship titles. How do you see the possibility of main table in tournaments? You played together in a period...

NR : Yes, in 2008, it had reached with the double world championship, I would say that I enjoyed spending time with him personally a lot. She deserves the first in history. That she remains the main table in any tournament will be fantastic situation for game.

It has always been difficult to reach the main table, especially in China. Only the cases of Wuxi, there are really different atmosphere in overseas and these events play out a little bit the ordinary norms of snooker.

You cannot be ignored the pressure of audience in China faced while playing with local players. To reach the main table in a tournament is a realistic target in United Kingdom. I hope, she will.

I : We all know that you are a passionate supporter of Chelsea. Jose Mourinho returned to Stamford Bridge earlier days and..

NR : (Cutting) Jose Mourinho! Return of Mou makes me very happy. I cannot stop thinking about it. Of course, his leading the team again will be changed at Stamford Bridge. Rafa is unloved in Chelsea due to the history in other clubs and his words about Chelsea and never loved. Mourinho is a completely different profile, you cannot compare to neither Rafa nor any other coach.

In spite of everything I think Benitez has issued a great job last season. In such difficult conditions, his team won the UEFA Champions League Trophy and finished at third place in Premier League. However, the next season will be very different, I can feel it. Gianfranco Zola has enabled me to be in favor of Chelsea and with the arrival of Mou, Eden Hazard will enable new generation of children to be in favor of Chelsea.

I : You said "Ronnie is the biggest player in history of the game" after this year's WSC. They suppose that general consensus among the players is still that Hendry is the greatest of history. Why did you tell like this?

NR : Ronnie O'Sullivan, has won five World Championship in the 13-year period and while he was doing it, he defeated Stephen Hendry, John Higgins and Mark Williams who were top players in their eras. Also, Ronnie defeated the new generation players like Judd and me. Ronnie has almost dominated three different generation players after Hendry had just dominated his own period. Here I'm talking about 15-20-year period. This is not an easy task.

For this reason, I think that Ronnie is the "best" player in the history. That's obviously a fact. Of course, Stephen Hendry is the "most successful" player. In fact, you saw that. Who could defeat Ronnie in the final of this year's WSC? Nobody. Hendry who is in the best period put in front of him, the result would be what? In order to push him out of tournament in semifinals, Judd tried everything possible. He continued on his way. In Sofia, in Gloucester or in Yixing, you can eliminate him. However, you cannot do that in WSC Semi Finals or Final.

I : Does Barry Hearn know that you play World of Warcraft? Would you like to tell us your favorite character?

NR : Oh, I was not expecting it. Do I have to be honest? Do you play? At the very least help me to feel good about myself. Yes, I'm still playing World of Warcraft. My favorite character is Orc Warrior. Barry knows that I'm playing. He saw me once time while I was playing during a tournament in China. When I come back home, I have a task needed to do it. It's a little extraordinary. (Laughing)

I : After you defeated Judd in Masters, he said "Today, I was defeated by a boring opponent. Neil played at normal speed because he is already slow." What do you say about this? In general, such a description gives extra motivation for you?

NR : We were in Masters semifinals and it was absolutely great match for me. Judd said it only once. I have not played at a slower rate. 21-22 seconds and this means approximately to play John Higgins at the same speed. In my opinion, Judd thought that he could win this tournament and he started thinking like this after I defeated him as playing very well. In fact, I have not done slowly?

I have been playing for 15 years as a professional snooker player. There is no knowing when the game didn't try to slow down. Sometimes I'm not satisfied with my positions and I need to analyze the table two or three times, which makes it all the players other than Ronnie O'Sullivan. Each shot hit by Ronnie is nearly perfect and it makes him special. He doesn't need to rethink. To avoid losing control at the table I have to look at it over and over again. If I don't do that, I don't win.

I : Well, shot clock? What do you think about limited playing time?

NR : I support this idea of restriction. Likewise, Joe Perry had a remarkable idea about it. I know that many players also support him. It did not reflect in the press, but the idea is that, only as you make the pot is restricted period. In other words, if there is a snooker needed to solve or you do not start any construction of series, there is no time limitation. However, if you pot the red ball, the time starts and it is activated. I support this idea given by Joe. I hope this issue will be solved.

I : After the first match with curly hair style, cameras caught a journalist laughing as showing you. Sudden change, as if reason?

NR : There are things I cannot tell you with curly hair, let's move on another issue (Laughing) I tried to have curly hair and it was a joke one completely. "I will go on doing so until I lose" I said. Some people like this new model but also others who are really crowded do not like it and some of them are very important for me, so I chose to keep hair smoothly. After that, I suppose I would continue to do so.

Translation : Furkan Kınlı (Editor on Snooker Turkiye)
http://snookertr.blogspot.com/2013/06/neil-robertson-no-one-cannot-be-like.html

Interviewer : Uğur Ozan Sulak (Editor on Eurosport.com Turkey)
http://tr.eurosport.com/snooker/neil-robertson-hicbirimiz-ronnie-o-sullivan-gibi-olamayiz-ozel-roportaj_sto3813532/story.shtml

World number one Mark Selby is chasing snooker's dream treble to be UK, Masters and World champion at the same time when the Betfair World Championship gets underway this weekend. Who better to ask about what we can expect?

Hi Mark. So you are going to Sheffield as World Number One. What does that mean to you?

Ever since I picked up a snooker queue all you want to be is world number one and world champion, so to get to the top of the rankings is a huge achievement, especially with the standard of snooker as it is at the moment. A lot of people have asked me if I would swap being number one to be world champion, and the answer would be 'yes'. You only have to win that once and you are never forgotten.

Do you have to win the world championship to be the best in the world?

Not always.

It's a debate in other sports. For instance Lee Westwood was world number one and hasn't one a Major.

For instance this year if Ronnie O'Sullivan didn't win the world championships, in a lot of people's eyes they would say he is still the best player in the world. The person who wins at The Crucible will be the best player in the world at that moment, but it doesn't mean they are the best across time.

Do you feel like you are the best in the world? Are you that confident in yourself?

Yeah, I always have the belief in myself. If you haven't got that it doesn't matter how good you are, you won't get the results, so I have got to go to The Crucible this year as confident as I have ever been, especially with the season I have had.

When you look back on reaching the final in 2007, how do you view it now?

I think the circumstances were different. I had only recently qualified so it was all new to me, I was going there with no expectations, I was just happy to be there. In a way there was no pressure. I was just playing and enjoying it, I won one game and won the next game, and before I knew it I was in the final and close to winning. Now because I have been a winner and have won tournaments the expectation levels are bigger, and you put more pressure on yourself because you know you are capable of achieving. It is just about the mindset. You need to find that balance where you can still approach it as though it means nothing, but really it means everything.

That's the secret then? The 2007 spirit with the knowledge you have now?

Yes, but it is not easy to do because everyone wants to try their hardest. You need to go out there and try, but if you try too hard you have the opposite effect and don't play well.

We heard you talking about your first round opponent Matthew Selt and how tough it is for anybody when it is their first time at the Crucible. Can you give some examples of what you mean?

It was difficult. I had never been, even to watch, I had gone there not knowing what to expect. Just the arena as a whole, you watch it on TV and it looks huge, but when you get there you find not much space between each table, because you have the partition down the middle, you are sitting next to your opponent which you don't normally do, and the crowd are probably as close to you as they are anywhere. Everything seems to be on top of you and it can get a bit daunting.

That's an advantage if you know what to expect.

Yes, I've been there a few years so I am not going in blind. Matthew I know has been there to watch, but there is a difference between going to watch and actually playing. Some people seem to thrive on it and he could go there and play fantastic and adapt straightaway, some go the other way. It is a tough one.

You must have bad memories of your back injury last year?

It came on when I was in China, I woke up one morning and went down to practise and couldn't' seem to get down. At the time I just thought I had pulled a muscle and it would wear off later in the day, but I found out I had a disc bulge in one of the vertebrae which was very painful. I tried to get some treatment, but I didn't have enough time.

One to scrub from the memory banks, or does it inspire you?

Yes it does, and it also puts things in perspective. I am going there in a different frame of mind this year, knowing I came off the back of that injury and won two big tournaments, and I am going knowing I have a chance of winning it this year, where last year I was going thinking I would be happy just to get through the first round. I'd have rather it not happen, but it was maybe a blessing, because my mindset and how I look into snooker now is a lot different.

Betfair's market has you and Ronnie O'Sullivan the joint favourites at 7.4 going in. Is he the big danger?

There are a lot of great players in there. Ronnie will always be first or second favourite for every single tournament he plays in, whether he has practised or not. He is such a great player. But it is a tough one to call. You have got Ding Junhui playing really well, Neil Robertson has been consistent this year, and Shaun Murphy has been there and done it before.

You've not mentioned Judd Trump. He was number one a short time ago, do you think he was affected by that?

I'm not sure, I just think he played so well for a long period of time the law of averages says it is hard to maintain that, with the standard the way it is. He just went through a little blip, but he is more than capable of coming out the other side and I think he's shown signs of that already. He could definitely be a big danger. I think the world championships will bring the best out of him.

Good luck and we've a free £50 bet for your favourite charity to say thanks for your time.

Great, I'm a patron of Loros. It is the hospice my father was in before he passed away when I was 16. And my bet will be my club Leicester City to win promotion at 9.0 - it's tough but I still think they can get in the play-offs and then anything is possible.