2006 Northern Ireland Trophy - Final Preview
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by user Alex Holowczak
Ronnie O'Sullivan (England) v Ding Junhui (China)
Ronnie O'Sullivan
- Age: 30
- World Ranking: 3 (provisionally 12)
- Raking Tournament Wins: 18
- Career Prize Money: £4,873,060
- Highest Break: 147 (6 times)
Ding Junhui
- Age: 19
- World Ranking: 27 (provisionally 9)
- Ranking Tournament Wins: 2
- Career Prize Money: £123,830
- Highest Break: 141
Head to Head
Ronnie leads 1.5-0.5, Ronnie beat Ding in the 2004 Masters 6-2. In the Premier League in 2005, the match was drawn 3-3.
The Final of the season opening event will pit the two most naturally talented players the game has ever seen together, in what could be a start of a new snooker rivalry.
Ding, still a teenager, had a better season than Ronnie last season, but this time, things are different.
Ronnie has been unbelievable in this tournament. After giving away the cue he made a 147 in 5 minutes 20 and won two World Championships away, Ronnie's new cue has shown him in superb form. He has been perfect in this tournament. His 6-0 win against Dominic Dale in the fastest ever best of 11 frame match shows how the Rocket is back to his old days. Ronnie looks unbeatable.
Ding, conversely, has already won his home event, and the UK Championships (second in stature only to the World Championships), and Ding looks set to dominate in the future in the same vein as Hendry or O'Sullivan. Ding has played brilliantly again here, and a win will almost guarantee his place in the top 16 next season.
The two play their longest match against each other today. The 17 frame battle could be a start of a new rivalry, as these two are playing well enough to be Numbers 1 and 2 in the world for a long time.
The match will be in stark contrast to the World's earlier in the year, when Graeme Dott beat Peter Ebdon in a game that was filled with safety.
Both these players are attacking, and Ronnie's aim is to put bums on seats by playing the game aggressively.
And for the first time in two decades, Ronnie will be the home favourite, as the influx of Chinese on the world stage ensures a transcultural game.
It may be premature, but this could be the match over the next decade that brings a new golden era to the game.
As for today, I would back Ronnie to win. He has been in great form, and has the hunger to succeed that he has missed lately. Ding has done well to get this far, and this might be his last ever tournament where he has "nothing to lose". I think Ronnie will win, but this game could go either way. It is a mouthwatering contest.
Score Prediction: Ronnie O'Sullivan (England) beat Ding Junhui (China) 9-7
Date
Sun 08/20/06, 1:39 am EST
