The World Grand Prix 2019

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As quick as Kyren Wilson wins the Masters on a Sunday night, the day after we have the World Grand Prix to start. It all kicks off tonight when Mark Allen gets it underway against Gary Wilson. This event was won last year by Ronnie O'Sullivan (no suprise) who returns this year. However, what is suprising is it was the first time he had won the event in 4 attempts. The players who have been heavily involved in the back end of the Masters I will avoid. The likes of Kyren, Gilbert etc do not play until midweek but Germany to Cheltenham after all that snooker doesn't appeal to me backing them. That being said I am going to give Robertson another chance here as I think he is close to being back in-form.

Round 1
M.Allen Vs G.Wilson
M O'Donnell Vs A.Carter
J.Lisowski Vs D.Junhui
D.Gilbert Vs Y.Bingtao
N.Robertson Vs Z.Guodong
J.Robertson Vs M.Davis
S.Maguire Vs M.King
M.Williams Vs Y.Sijun
M.Selby Vs S.Murphy
J.Higgins Vs N.Saengkham
J.Perry Vs T.Ford
J.Trump Vs S.Carrington
K.Wilson Vs M.Stevens
S.Bingham Vs Z.Xingtong
B.Hawkins Vs R.Day
M.Fu Vs R.O'Sullivan

The main two players I like are in the top half and that is Mark Allen and Neil Robertson. Robertson, much like the Masters preview, I think is "due" a big performance. Allen was not involved with the German Masters and has had a nice break here. He also has a decent draw as you would fancy him to beat Wilson and Carter or O'Donnell which puts him into a last 8 spot. In the bottom half you would expect Ronnie to come through. There is a cluster of good players in the bottom half including Ronnie, Bingham, K.Wilson, Trump and Selby so it would be a tough draw to get to a final but i will throw a point at Saengkham who break builds well at this format that could be dangerous.

2.5pts M.Allen to win the Grand Prix 12/1 BetVictor
2pts N.Robertson to win the Grand Prix 16/1 boylesports
0.5pts E/W N.Saengkham to win the Grand Prix 150/1 bet365

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Day 1 Preview :

Tonight we get underway with 4 matches. Mark Allen against Gary Wilson which is normally a quite tight affair, Ronnie against Marco Fu, Hawkins plays Ryan Day and Bingham has Xingtong.

Marco Fu has had some awful form and I really cannot see anything but a 4-0 or 4-1 so i think the -2.5 handicap although generally risky in a 1st round encounter is a good choice here. Ronnie has beaten Fu 6-0 twice and 6-1 once in the past 5 meetings and with Fu's recent results is why I'm swayed.

Ryan Day will be my secnd pick. Hawkins I expected more from in the Masters. He took the lead well against Milkins but let him back in and made far too many mistakes. Day has a good record against Hawkins and I think that the value is there with Day.

4pts R O'Sullivan (-2.5 frames) to beat M.Fu Evens Bet365
4pts R.Day to beat B.Hawkins 11/10 Bet365