After each big tournament this season we’ll be reflecting on the latest action, so let’s take a look at a few things learned after the German Masters.
Back-to-back is Hard
After powering his way to the final to the loss of just two frames at the Tempodrom, Neil Robertson was subsequently attempting to join an exclusive club in Sunday’s final.
Seven days earlier in Austria, the Australian produced a dominant display to become only the second player ever to whitewash an opponent in a ranking event title decider.
With victory in Berlin, Robertson could then have become only the 14th player in the sport’s history to capture successive trophies at this level.
Ray Reardon was the first to manage the feat, albeit in an era when only the World Championship counted as a ranking tournament on the calendar.
The likes of Steve Davis, Stephen Hendry, Jimmy White, Ronnie O’Sullivan, and Ding Junhui have done it since.
Ironically, the man in Robertson’s way was the last competitor to complete consecutive triumphs, with Judd Trump claiming success in the World and Northern Ireland Opens earlier in this campaign.
The world number one ultimately dominated Robertson in every department as the 37 year-old appeared to finally run out of gas following his brilliant run of form.
Robertson does, however, rise to number two in the world rankings behind Trump despite the defeat and there can’t be much argument with the stat that makes the duo the two best players in the game at present.
Trump’s Ton Watch
Trump and Robertson’s fortunes on the baize are intrinsically entwined in more ways than one, it appears.
After the German Masters, the world champion remains on course to break Robbo’s record for century breaks in a single season.
The latter memorably constructed a 100th hundred at the Crucible in 2014 against none other than Trump – sparking wild celebrations that the Englishman didn’t take kindly to at the time.
This year, it’s Trump who is chasing down the milestone and Robertson’s end-tally from six season ago of 103.
The 30 year-old’s break of 100 in the final frame of Sunday’s showdown was his fifth century of the tournament, bringing his total for the 2019/20 season so far to 67.
With the target undoubtedly within reach, a potential blow to his chances could have come with the announcement during last week’s comp that the China Open towards the end of the campaign is postponed due to the coronavirus outbreak.
Today’s finalists comfortably outscoring everyone else this season but a special mention to Gary Wilson! @Gary_Wilson11
J. Trump – 67
N. Robertson – 48
M. Selby – 36
G. Wilson – 34
D. Gilbert – 33
K. Wilson – 31
M. Allen – 30
S. Bingham – 29
D. Junhui – 26
R. O’Sullivan – 26— Adam @SnookerInfo (@SnookerInfo147) February 2, 2020
Beating to the Tempodrom
Okay, this isn’t anything “learned” but after the German Masters it seems only right to heap as much praise as possible on the Tempodrom.
The auditorium in the German capital city remains one of the very best hosts on snooker’s roadshow.
Not only does the colosseum-like arena form an imposing backdrop, the atmosphere that is generated by the German supporters is electric to boot.
Indeed, their enthusiasm is infectious and when the Tempodrom is packed, like how it was for most of the weekend, it really is a sight to behold.
The Crucible has its own unique history, the Alexandra Palace is helping to modernise the sport, but the Tempodrom is a standout in its own right as well.
Following ten editions of the German Masters in the venue, let’s hope its future as a mainstay is secure.
The Tempodrom in the 1-table rounds is a bit like watching Roman gladiators at a distance! So yes, great atmosphere, but it’s quite far from the table, so doesn’t suit me so much.
But really, the tournament organisers should press for the best players (certainly all of the top-16), and also one or two German players. Tournaments should play a role in developing the game locally, as has happened in China. The qualifier system is flawed, especially when played in mid-December in Barnsley. At the moment there are 32 players, but with 5 tables they could easily accomodate more (up to 46, by my reckoning). If they think creatively, they could do it!
I’d say we snooker fans are fortunate to have David Caulfield reporting for us as his enthusiasm, knowledge and passion for the sport are surely evident on a continuing basis. One day North America will discover snooker but I’m afraid I’ll be long gone by that time. It’s too bad there isn’t a greater push to bring our hundreds of million of fans, and gamblers into the sport as soon as possible. All we need to do is convince our 50 million pool players they can actually make a good living by stepping up to the larger format. I’m a bit surprised Barry Hearne isn’t providing a couple of annual exhibitions here in the USA, gambling permitted. Now that our Supreme Court has allowed sports gambling our country is just waiting for someone to show the gamblers that betting on a snooker match is a whole lot healthier than killing horses. The Americans would understand 6 ball snooker in a hurry.