The waiting is over and on Saturday the World Championship begins with the eyes of the snooker world on the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield. As has been tradition for a while the defending champion gets the tournament underway which means we have the world number one Mark Selby on show from the off.
We also have arguably the biggest name in the game in action on the first day too with Ronnie O’Sullivan gracing the green baize. We are set for three sessions of top quality action to kick off the tournament.
Mark Selby vs Fergal O’Brien
Mark Selby’s title defence begins against the dogged Irishman Fergal O’Brien over the best of 19 frames. It would be a huge surprise if Selby loses this match but Fergal has the ability to turn any match into a battle and so he can’t be taken for granted.
Selby is being asked to give up a 3.5 frame handicap in this match which is probably on the short side but with opening day nerves and things like that it might be about right. None of the side markets offer up much in the way of value so I’ll sit this one out.
Anthony McGill vs Stephen Maguire
The other match to get underway in the morning session and concluding in the evening session on Saturday is the all-Scottish battle between Anthony McGill and Stephen Maguire. These two met in this round two years ago when McGill prevailed in a deciding frame and it would surprise nobody if this one was as close.
There are all sorts of talks about Crucible curses doing the rounds and Maguire will be out to end one of his own here. He hasn’t won a match in this tournament since 2012 but having won three matches to get here he is in good form. Since he won the Indian Open at the beginning of the season the only event McGill has been past the quarter final in is the Shootout so he isn’t in great form but past evidence suggests the longer format brings out his best snooker.
I think this will be another lengthy match between these two so over 16.5 frames appeals to me in this one. They have history of going the distance here and given the magnitude of the match for both this should inevitably turn into a tight tussle.
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Ronnie O’Sullivan vs Gary Wilson
The afternoon session highlight is the match between Ronnie O’Sullivan and Gary Wilson. O’Sullivan is a huge favourite to win the match but Wilson made a 147 in qualifying last week so he looks to be playing good snooker right now.
That 147 was just one of eight centuries Wilson made in the 30 frames he won at Ponds Forge and I don’t care who you are that is sensational scoring. He played O’Sullivan in qualifying for the German Masters earlier in the campaign and only went down 5-3 so he can be competitive here and if he is I expect to see more than 2.5 centuries and even if he isn’t O’Sullivan’s scoring power can still see that line covered.
Kyren Wilson vs David Grace
The last match to begin on Saturday sees last year’s quarter finalist Kyren Wilson taking on the local debutant David Grace with the winner moving through to a last 16 clash with either Peter Ebdon or Stuart Bingham so there is a big opportunity for one of these two.
I expect Wilson to win this match but Grace has come through three qualifying matches and merits respect on that alone. I think this is a match to observe in the opening session and see if we can find a nugget of value heading into the second session on Sunday.
Tips
Back A.McGill vs S.Maguire – Over 16.5 frames for a 4/10 stake at 1.83 with Coral
Back it here:
WON – Back R.O’Sullivan vs G.Wilson – Over 2.5 centuries for a 4/10 stake at 2.00 with Skybet
Back it here:
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