The semi-finals of the Scottish Open take place on a sizzling Saturday inside the Emirates Arena up in Glasgow as we head towards the conclusion of the penultimate Home Nations event of the season, and we have four men who should produce great quality as they seek a spot in the final.
The likes of Ronnie O’Sullivan and Judd Trump were sent on their way on Friday but the four quarter final winners all come from the top 16 in the world so we are certainly not going to be short of great action.
Afternoon Session
Mark Selby vs Dave Gilbert
We were meant to be getting Ronnie O’Sullivan vs Judd Trump in this opening semi-final but the script wasn’t read that way as Mark Selby and Dave Gilbert came through to set up a repeat of the English Open final from earlier in the season.
Selby delivered his best performance of the campaign in that match, demolishing Gilbert 9-1, but I fancy this will be much closer. Selby has spoken about how he doesn’t feel as confident as his results have suggested this week, whereas Gilbert has just delivered a fantastic display in beating Judd Trump 5-2 and scoring amazingly in the process, so he’ll fancy the job for the rest of the week as he chases an elusive major title.
I sense this is going to be a tight match so I like over 9.5 frames in this one. Even if Selby isn’t confident he is going to give this everything he has got like the champion he is. Gilbert is scoring so well at the minute that it is hard to see him fading tamely. As long as he gets settled early, I’m expecting Gilbert to play his part in a cracking first semi-final.
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Evening Session
Mark Allen vs Jack Lisowski
The second semi-final provides Mark Allen to take the defence of his title right down to the final possible match of it when he meets Jack Lisowski, a man who like Gilbert in the earlier game is looking for his first ranking event title this weekend.
Allen has had a fair bit to say about the schedule this week and he is probably right with what he said although I do wonder if some of that was to mask that he hasn’t been at his brilliant best this week. I wondered whether Lisowski was flattered by the draw going into this quarter final but his scoring in that last eight clash against a Thepchaiya Un-Nooh who was in scintillating form suggested that he is worthy of his place in this semi-final.
Lisowski has actually won the last four meetings between these two players and with that in mind I think he is value to come out on top in this semi-final. Allen hasn’t played anyone of note yet and while he scored well towards the end of his quarter final with Scott Donaldson, he gave a lot of chances away but the Scot couldn’t take them. If afforded the same opportunities I think Lisowski will grab them. I like the Englishman here.
Tips
Back M.Selby vs D.Gilbert – Over 9.5 frames for a 4/10 stake at 2.25 with Betfair
Back it here:
WON – Back J.Lisowski to beat M.Allen for a 4/10 stake at 2.50 with William Hill
Back him here:
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