Snooker Grand Prix final last Sunday- do you remember that bit where Ronnie was snookered and Fu let him off?

Question

I think it was the second or third session. Fu had put o' Sullivan in a snooker, and Ronnie's first attempt at getting out failed, and he ended up past the balk line having missed his target ball. A miss was called, but instead of having him take the shot again, and racking up some more points, Fu let him play on, giving him a chance at a long red, which Ronnie didn't even seem to try to pot.

What did you make of it? Why would Marco give Ronnie a chance to take get back into the frame; and why did Ronnie not capitalise on that?

Answer 1

they were both tired.......and my guess is they couldnt be bothered

Answer 2

Snooker players always plan at least a few shots ahead. The red was probably very difficult and Ronnie might have left something on if he went for it. Fu probably saw this and was hoping that Ronnie would go for the red and make a mistake.

Answer 3

It is called etiquette and R idn't seem too bothered anyway. (Maybe he was, I dunno!) His nonchalont approach to the game weirdly gives him more fans than enemies. (Fan side, myself)

I don't think it is a question of him not tryng, otherwise he wouldn'thave come back, but seeing as he didn't even know how many frames were in the first session and had to ask brings the thought that he thought he was gonna walk it and ifhe didn't, then 2nd place will still pay the mortgage.

Don't take anything away though-Fu won fair and square. Worse luck!

Answer 4

Having already made one attempt at the shot, the chances are that Ronnie had the cushion angles, side required and pace for the shot and would likely have 'made it' on his next attempt.

What Marco did was not ettiquette as someone else suggested or tiredeness, but more down to weighing up the chances of amassing a large score from fouls before ending up in a very difficult snooker against the chance of Ronnie leaving a ball on after playing a shot to nothing on the red ball.