The lucrative China Championship has reached the quarter final stage with every match in the tournament from here on in being on a televised table which is better both for the players involved and those of us punting on the competition.
There have been many shocks in this tournament so far but at the last eight stage of the event we have a number of big names still in and looking to go all the way to the title.
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Morning Session
Zhou Yuelong vs Shaun Murphy
Chinese eyes will be on this match in the morning session as the youngster Zhou Yuelong takes on a Shaun Murphy who has been in ruthless form so far this week. Murphy has not dropped a frame since the opening round of the tournament but Zhou has been playing well too.
The worry I have for Zhou is the amount of chances he gave Martin Gould in the last round. Gould wasn’t playing well enough to capitalise on them but Murphy most definitely is and if Zhou is as loose against him as he was in the last round this won’t be the result the Chinese crowds want. Murphy looks on it this week and while Zhou is a huge talent this could be a step too far. I fancy Murphy to come through with a bit in hand here.
Ali Carter vs Fergal O’Brien
Two men who know the meaning of the word solid do battle on the other table in the morning session when Ali Carter takes on Fergal O’Brien in what has all the makings of a pretty tight tussle.
Carter has been playing some nice stuff this week and is rightly the favourite in this one but if we have seen anything about Fergal over the years it is that he fears nobody and can drag anyone into a gun fight and a battle. I would expect Carter’s quality to come through but he is no price to be backing.
Afternoon Session
Ronnie O’Sullivan vs Luca Brecel
The pick of the matches in the afternoon sees Ronnie O’Sullivan taking on Luca Brecel in a battle of two of the best talents in the game. It must be said that Ronnie has looked menacingly good in this tournament so far.
I think Brecel has his hands full in this match. He has done really well to get this far but you can often tell O’Sullivan’s mood by the amount of centuries he makes and he has made four in three matches so far. That tells me he means business and with the chances he is likely to get from the cue of Brecel I just don’t see the Belgian getting close unless he can get in first and score big. He hasn’t been doing that of late in the tournament though and the sheer aura of O’Sullivan could be too much in this one.
Li Hang vs Mark Williams
The Chinese attention in the afternoon session will be on this match as Mark Williams takes on a Li Hang who has shown plenty more quality than many may have thought he has so far this week.
That said for as well as Hang has played in the tournament I think his run ends here. Williams looks to be back on it at the minute and the way he has taken care of two very dangerous opponents in recent times makes me think that he will come through here. Unfortunately, from a betting point of view at least, the prices are a touch on the skinny side so I’ll just let Williams win and set up what could be a tasty semi-final with O’Sullivan if both do their jobs.
Tips
WON – Back S.Murphy (-1.5 frames) to beat Z.Yuelong for a 4/10 stake at 1.80 with Bet365
Back him here:
Back R.O’Sullivan (-2.5 frames) to beat L.Brecel for a 4/10 stake at 2.10 with Coral
Back him here:
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