It is the final day of qualifying for the China Open on Friday with two remaining sessions of snooker as the players yet to embark on their journey look to seal their spots in Beijing in March.
We’ve seen the likes of John Higgins, Ronnie O’Sullivan and Stuart Bingham all season their spots in China already this week and on Friday it will be the turn of Stephen Maguire and Matthew Stevens among others.
Morning Session
As ever we have six matches in the morning session. Alan McManus gets the streamed table treatment when he takes on Chen Zhe while Matthew Stevens faces Josh Boileau in the other live match. Away from the spotlight Rod Lawler plays Jamie Cope, Robin Hull meets Gareth Allen, Joe Swail faces Paul Davison and Li Hang meets Fang Xiongman in a battle of two men looking to qualify for their home open.
Afternoon Session
There are just the five matches remaining in this session. Stephen Maguire and Dave Gilbert get the gig on the streamed tables. They face Boonyarit Kaettikun and Kurt Dunham respectively. Andrew Higginson takes on Christopher Keogan, Jimmy Robertson plays Cao Yupeng and Alfie Burden goes up against Akani Songsermsawad in the other matches.
Betting
After a couple of solid winning days I’m just taking the one bet on Friday and then running for next week’s German Masters. The bet comes in the Alfie Burden vs Akani Songsermsawad match and it is the Thai that I like at odds against.
Alfie Burden made the quarter finals of the European Masters in October but he hasn’t won a competitive match since and that makes him vulnerable to the fast improving Thai player. Songsermsawad hasn’t had that deep run in an event yet but he generally gets to the stages he should do and lose to good players. I think he will come through here.
Tips
Back A.Songsermsawad to beat A.Burden for a 4/10 stake at 2.10 with Bwin
Back him here:
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