The first round of The Masters continues on Monday with two more matches at the Alexandra Palace and the first of those sees Ding Junhui looking to progress when he takes on the Welsh player Ryan Day for a place in the second round.
Both these men will be sensing an opportunity against the other here and with some pretty significant prize money on offer here one of them will be guaranteed a nice post-Christmas pay cheque.
Ding Junhui
His win at the World Open aside, it has been a rotten season for Ding Junhui thus far but there were signs in the Scottish Open and in German Masters qualifying that he was starting to find his form and he will be hoping to take the positives from that into this event. We all know this is not Ding’s favourite event mind you.
Since he won this tournament in 2011 he has only won one match in six visits to the event so I very much doubt the Chinese star will be feeling great about his chances as he walks up the steps into the ‘People’s Palace’. One positive he does have is the experience of the tournament which is something that his opponent does not have.
Ryan Day
The Welshman makes his first appearance in this tournament since 2010 and he will be looking to maximise the chance he has given himself. He is here by virtue of winning the Riga Masters at the beginning of the campaign and he has also made the semi-finals of the UK Championship. He has warmed up for the tournament with a raft of matches in the Championship League.
Day is playing some of the best snooker of his career. He has always been capable of beating anyone on his day and he is performing to his better level more often than not hence why he is here. His scoring has been particularly good this season with a number of very big breaks and he is creating chances with good safety.
Head to Head
These two have met 17 times in their careers and it is Ding who holds an 11-6 lead but they are 2-2 for their last four meetings. A number of their previous battles have been quite close and they have played out six deciders in total in those past meetings. Their last best of 11 meeting was won by Day at the International Championship in 2015.
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Betting
Given the poor season that Ding Junhui has experienced and the woeful recent record he has at this tournament the value for this match has to lie with Ryan Day. Their past meetings would suggest that this will be a close match but ultimately I’ve got to fancy the Welshman here even if he is appearing for the first time in a while.
Day has performed admirably for much of the season and has played in front of the big crowds which is important. Ding has had his issues in front of this crowd in the past and I’m guessing that explains why he has barely won a match here in ages. I don’t think Ding enjoys this tournament so I’ll take Day who should be bang up for it.
Tips
WON – Back R.Day to beat D.Junhui for a 4/10 stake at 2.55 with Betfair
Back him here:
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