Tweet
After the arguably disappointing World Championships of 2006, I expect normal service to resume this year.
There are some intriguing matches in the first round draw and possibly more to follow in round 2 and all the way to the final. The match that stands out is Ronnie v Ding. Also Robertson v Day should be a great match with all out attacking by both players. DAvis v Parrott adds some spice to the draw although I don't think it will be a great game. There are also some potential 10-9 nail biters in the draw - Hawkins v O'Brien, Ebdon v Bond springs to mind here. I'm also very excited about seeing Trump play. The coach at the club where I play describes Trump as a world champ in the next 5 years.
In the second round we could see Ebdon v Lee and there is some history between those two. Ebdon's infamous 13-12 win was also in the second round I believe in 2001?? As well as this we have a potential clash between O'Sullivan and Robertson or Ding v Robertson. Both of these should be classics although Ryan Day will provide a tough opener for the Aussie.
Ebdon v Hendry is a possible classic quarter final and I'd expect one of these two to face Ken Doherty in the semis.
Also I expect Graeme Dott to reach the semis where he could play Ding,Ronie or Robertson.
I think the main contenders will be as follows:
1. Dott - the most improved player on the circuit this season. He now seems to be scoring as heavily as anyone and along with his all round match play that makes him a formidable opponent. In the China Open quarter finals he was 2-1 down to John higgins but then won the next 4 frames with breaks of 80+,90+ and two 100's. I can't see anyone in the top quarter of the draw stopping Dott from reaching the semis.
2. O'Sullivan - I think the fact that he has Ding first and then Robertson/Day next will bring the best out of the Rocket. I'm tipping Ronnie to reach the semis if he beats Ding in round 1 where we could see him face Dott with whom he has a score to settle.
3. Doherty - again I expect him to reach the semis where he could face Ebdon or Hendry. Stevens and Mruphy are in his quarter of the draw but I'd expect Doherty to outfox either over best of 25.
4. Ebdon/Hendry - if either of these two get to the semis - and looking at the draw one of them should - then they'd fancy winning.
As well as these I'd say look out for Robertson and Ding. Neither are afraid of the Rocket and if either of them beats him then they will fancy the job having seen what Murphy did in 2005.
In all I expect to see a marvellous tournament with at least 1 147 and possibly two. If I was a betting man I'd place a few quid on Dott to break the jinx and also on Doherty.
Graeme Dott v. Ian McCulloch
Anthony Hamilton v. Marco Fu
Stephen Maguire v. Joe Perry
Mark J. Williams v. Joe Swail
John Higgins v. Michael Holt
Barry Hawkins v. Fergal O'Brien
Neil Robertson v. Ryan Day
Ronnie O'Sullivan v. Ding Junhui
Ken Doherty v. Mark Allen
Matthew Stevens v. Joe Delaney
Steve Davis v. John Parrott
Shaun Murphy v. Judd Trump
Peter Ebdon v. Nigel Bond
Stephen Lee v. Mark Selby
Ali Carter v. Andy Hicks
Stephen Hendry v. David B. Gilbert
There are some intriguing matches in the first round draw and possibly more to follow in round 2 and all the way to the final. The match that stands out is Ronnie v Ding. Also Robertson v Day should be a great match with all out attacking by both players. DAvis v Parrott adds some spice to the draw although I don't think it will be a great game. There are also some potential 10-9 nail biters in the draw - Hawkins v O'Brien, Ebdon v Bond springs to mind here. I'm also very excited about seeing Trump play. The coach at the club where I play describes Trump as a world champ in the next 5 years.
In the second round we could see Ebdon v Lee and there is some history between those two. Ebdon's infamous 13-12 win was also in the second round I believe in 2001?? As well as this we have a potential clash between O'Sullivan and Robertson or Ding v Robertson. Both of these should be classics although Ryan Day will provide a tough opener for the Aussie.
Ebdon v Hendry is a possible classic quarter final and I'd expect one of these two to face Ken Doherty in the semis.
Also I expect Graeme Dott to reach the semis where he could play Ding,Ronie or Robertson.
I think the main contenders will be as follows:
1. Dott - the most improved player on the circuit this season. He now seems to be scoring as heavily as anyone and along with his all round match play that makes him a formidable opponent. In the China Open quarter finals he was 2-1 down to John higgins but then won the next 4 frames with breaks of 80+,90+ and two 100's. I can't see anyone in the top quarter of the draw stopping Dott from reaching the semis.
2. O'Sullivan - I think the fact that he has Ding first and then Robertson/Day next will bring the best out of the Rocket. I'm tipping Ronnie to reach the semis if he beats Ding in round 1 where we could see him face Dott with whom he has a score to settle.
3. Doherty - again I expect him to reach the semis where he could face Ebdon or Hendry. Stevens and Mruphy are in his quarter of the draw but I'd expect Doherty to outfox either over best of 25.
4. Ebdon/Hendry - if either of these two get to the semis - and looking at the draw one of them should - then they'd fancy winning.
As well as these I'd say look out for Robertson and Ding. Neither are afraid of the Rocket and if either of them beats him then they will fancy the job having seen what Murphy did in 2005.
In all I expect to see a marvellous tournament with at least 1 147 and possibly two. If I was a betting man I'd place a few quid on Dott to break the jinx and also on Doherty.
Graeme Dott v. Ian McCulloch
Anthony Hamilton v. Marco Fu
Stephen Maguire v. Joe Perry
Mark J. Williams v. Joe Swail
John Higgins v. Michael Holt
Barry Hawkins v. Fergal O'Brien
Neil Robertson v. Ryan Day
Ronnie O'Sullivan v. Ding Junhui
Ken Doherty v. Mark Allen
Matthew Stevens v. Joe Delaney
Steve Davis v. John Parrott
Shaun Murphy v. Judd Trump
Peter Ebdon v. Nigel Bond
Stephen Lee v. Mark Selby
Ali Carter v. Andy Hicks
Stephen Hendry v. David B. Gilbert
Comment