We see the quarter finals come to a close and the opening semi-final being played at the Players Championship in Llandudno on Friday as the lucrative snooker tournament heads towards a conclusion.
Ding Junhui and Anthony Hamilton will find themselves battling it out for the last spot in the semi-finals in the afternoon session while Judd Trump and Ali Carter will be bidding to become the first finalist in the evening.
Ding Junhui vs Anthony Hamilton
Two of the best scorers in the game meet in the last quarter final as Ding Junhui takes on Anthony Hamilton for a place in the semi-final on Saturday evening. Ding saw off John Higgins in exceptional circumstances in the first round while Anthony Hamilton dominated Stuart Bingham from the off.
Although Ding did well to come back from the dead against John Higgins it is clear he isn’t playing his best stuff at the minute whereas the opposite can be said of Anthony Hamilton. He is hitting the ball about as well as he has ever done right now.
Hamilton doesn’t have the best of records against Ding it must be said but their matches do tend to be tight so factoring in that the Sheriff is playing so well now there is no doubt in my mind he’s the value here.
Ali Carter vs Judd Trump
We’re up to the best of 11 frames for the first of the semi-finals which sees Ali Carter and Judd Trump meeting for the seventh time in what I call proper competition which is matches outside of the Championship League.
Carter goes into the match with a 4-2 head to head lead and he should be full of confidence having seen off former world champions in the form of Shaun Murphy and Neil Robertson thus far but Trump won’t be lacking in the positivity stakes himself. He beat Ronnie O’Sullivan in the previous round and looks to be cueing a dream.
I think we are all set up for a cracking semi-final here. Carter doesn’t fear Trump like some do while Trump is playing some excellent snooker and those two mixtures should combine for a potion that involves more than 9.5 frames in this first semi.
Tips
Back A.Hamilton to beat D.Junhui for a 3/10 stake at 3.50 with Winner Sports
Back him here:
WON – Back A.Carter vs J.Trump – Over 9.5 frames for a 4/10 stake at 2.30 with William Hill
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