Snooker: China Open

[kevshat]

The penultimate ranking event of the season begins in the morning in Beijing. A good tournament for the early risers among us. Looks a great draw so hopefully it'll be a belting week of snooker to lead us into the world championships in 3 weeks time. Get stuck in gentlemen :ok.

[RussP]

Re: Snooker: China Open Go on, I'll kick us off. N.Robertson to win China Open, 1pt EW @ 9/1 Skybet (1/2 odds 1-2) I'm going with the current World Champ in the bottom half of the draw. Reportedly, he's been hard at it on the practice table, ahead of his defence of his Crucible crown next month and it would be no surprise to see him go deep in this. Massive price too for the Thunder from Down Under. Hasn't really done an awful lot since winning the World Open but will want some table time now, and the draw has been pretty kind. Opens up with a winnable match against Hawkins, before another you'd expect him to win against, most likely, Ebdon. In the weakest quarter, Mags or Fu in the quarters before the only match I can see him struggling in if he's brought his A game, that against Higgins assuming the Scot gets that far. He ain't going to be a 9/2 shot to win that so I'll gladly take the price on offer and hope he's cueing well ahead of the big one in under a month. A.Carter to win China Open, 1pt EW @ 18/1 Skybet (1/2 odds 1-2) The top half is tougher but the Captain represents the player with the best draw and value price. Bingham, Allen, Cope/Selby stand in his way of a semi and, whilst difficult, it could have been so much worse. I'd expect him to see off Bingham and then it's Mark Allen, a player I rate but one that is much better over the longer format. Selby looks a shadow of the player he was 12-18 months ago, not hitting the breaks he normally does, whilst Cope will choke, simple as. Assuming he gets that far, there are potential dangers aplenty in the semi, including Ronnie, MJW & Ding, but again we'd be sitting on a 9/1 voucher for him to win that. He's had a couple of shockers this season but a win in Shanghai shows how the travel doesn't affect him, whilst a return to form at the Welsh saw him reach the semis. Generally seems better at either end of the season. Last year, he followed up a final appearance in Wales with semi final defeats in both this and the Worlds. 18's looks big and I'll take the Captain to guide us into the winners enclosure.