We have reached the semi-final stage of the China Championship with both matches taking place over the extended length of the best of 11 frames on Saturday, one in the morning and one in the afternoon sessions.
This tournament has seen shocks and surprises throughout and the quarter finals on Friday delivered another one so nobody is safe here. All four men will be eyeing up a spot in the final on Sunday and a shot at the tasty first prize that comes with it.
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Morning Session
Lu Haotian vs John Higgins
The opening semi-final sees the Chinese youngster Lu Haotian taking on John Higgins over the best of 11 frames for a place in the final on Sunday and from an experience point of view these two could barely be more chalk and cheese.
Haotian powered past Martin O’Donnell in the quarter final to book his spot in a second major semi-final and he will be hoping to make a first final in front of his home crowd but he takes on a Higgins who finally came to the party with his game on Friday when he took care of Judd Trump and who is likely to only get stronger from here on in.
I think experience will win the day in this match with Higgins coming through to book his spot in the final but there could be value on Haotian making the highest break. He is a serial scorer when he gets going and made a couple of tons in his quarter final while Higgins has a top break of 85 this week and just four breaks over 70 in five matches. If Haotian can get in early and put in a decent break it could hold up in what could become a scrappy match.
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Afternoon Session
Mark Selby vs Zhao Xintong
The second semi-final sees the world number one Mark Selby taking on a Chinese star in his first solo major last four clash in the form of Zhao Xintong. The winner will face either Lu Haotian or John Higgins in the final.
Selby is usually granite when he gets to this stage of a tournament and there were signs towards the end of his quarter final against Yuan Sijun that he was coming to the boil once again. Xintong arrives here off the back of seeing off Mark Williams and Barry Hawkins in the last two rounds so he should be full of confidence.
He may be loaded with confidence but this is Selby’s stage and he is usually too good for opposition from here on in. The problem Xintong has here is he is going to be kept at long range and if he doesn’t clear up six times you get the feeling he is not going to get much of a look in. Selby will dominate the tactical frames and mop up any chances he is given and I expect him to win this no worse than 6-3.
Tips
Back L.Haotian Highest Break vs J.Higgins for a 3/10 stake at 3.00 with Bet365
Back M.Selby (-2.5 frames) to beat Z.Xintong for a 4/10 stake at 2.20 with Coral
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