2010 has been doubtlessly a noteworthy year for snooker in past decade, with a new ranking system being implemented and the initiative of player’s tour championship. What remained constant throughout the year was number of fierce and marvellous matches.
This article will review the top ten matches that took place in the year 2010 in segments.
Match # 1: Ronnie O’Sullivan vs. Mark Williams
The first match on the list is the semi-final of the Masters played between the old rivals. Mark the Welshman was on the verge of returning to form again, after he had dropped out of the top-16 in world rankings.
Mark was considered improbable to win the match, as he had not beaten Ronnie in a ranking event for eight years. Recovering from an out-of-town form, however Mark opened the match with a stunning century of 107. Retaining the momentum with affirmative breaks
of 30 plus, Mark looked pretty much into the driving seat of the match.
Ronnie as anticipated fought back with breaks of 86, 99 and 39 to turn the lead 3-2 on his side. Mark replied with another outstanding 132 to level the match, breaks continued to ooze out as both exchanged scores of 60, 78, 96, and 67 to drag the match into
the decisive frame.
Both cueists performed astonishingly well, Williams however was able to put up a great fight until he missed a crucial red. Ronnie took the charge and cleared the frame booking his place in the 2nd consecutive Master’s final.
Match # 2: Mark Selby vs. Ronnie O’Sullivan
Both players saw each other at the Wembley Masters final match. Favourite to win the titles was indeed O’Sullivan ‘the rocket’.
Some high quality snooker was played by both the cue-men, in first session of the match. With the breaks of 112 and 83 from Selby whereas 122, 101 and 86 from Mark’s opponent, Ronnie had a lead of 5-3 before the end of first session.
Later on Ronnie cruised his way to take further lead of 7-5 and 9-6, being just one frame away to grab the titles. On the other hand, the Jester from Leicester Mark had other plans as he replied by winning next three frames in a row to level up the match.
Keeping his nerves cool, Mark compiled a tremendous century of 107 to affirm his victory achieved through a great fighting comeback. It was a remarkable match as Mark Selby proved to be a classy player.
Match # 3: Steve Davis V John Higgins
The third match can doubtlessly be called one of the most crunch matches of the year, as the legendary Steve Davis took on the most feared adversary in the game John Higgins.
Steve opened the session in a remarkable fashion by taking the lead 6-2. One of the sensational sessions in 2010 witnessed high quality snooker from Davis in years, making no mistake and giving no room.
As they say for Higgins that he plays best when bruised and well below his opponent. He fought back and dragged the match to 9-7 score-line, before the end of the first session.
The later session of the match proved to be thrilling and exciting as Higgins began in baleful manner levelling the match 9-9. Some errors however from Wizard of Wishaw let Steve restore his lead with a score-line of 11-9.
As John's unconquerable will to let down and surrender ignited, he fought his way back into the match by levelling the match once again with 11-11.
Until this point, the match was flown into the deciding frame and it was experienced and seasoned cueist Davis who prevailed in the last frame.
Reaching the quarterfinal round of the tournament by defeating the defending champion, having to play tremendous snooker was an achievement for the legendary cueist Steve Davis.
To be continued...
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