Ronnie

Ronnie O’Sullivan beat Ali Carter in the 2008 final by 18 frames to 8 in what was rather a dull final. I didn’t really get in to the tournament this year until the semis, mainly because it’s a tough year for us right now and I”m working so much. I would have enjoyed watching Hendry and O’Sullivan’s semi but missed all of it, even though I did have a wee wager on Hendry at 4-1. What I did see a lot of though was Ali Carter and Joe Perry’s semi and that for me was the match of the tournament; certainly it was far more enjoyable than watching Ronnie and Ali fumble round the table and miss shots all over the place. From the standard of play in the final it would be hard to believe that both players had a maximum during the tournament. And it must be the earliest finish I’ve ever encountered, at least as early as I can remember anyway (which isn’t saying much, admittedly, given the state of my memory these days). It was done and dusted by 8.30 p.m. and it just happens to the first final in some 10 years that I’ve actually been in the UK so wasn’t penalised by the hour’s time difference that I had to endure in Luxembourg. Last year’s was a late one, after 1 a.m. I think it was.

Ali Carter

I know I always say this when a long-odds player makes a final, but I’m sure we’ll see more of Ali Carter in future finals. Although nobody really seems to dominate these days any more, unlike during the reign of Steve Davis in the 80s and Hendry in the 90s so it could be that your Sean Murphys and Peter Ebdons are one-time champs only so in that sense it’s O’Sullivan’s era I suppose.

Joe Perry