Saturday at the World Open means that it is semi-final day out in Yushan with the four remaining players all eyeing up a spot in the final on Sunday. Whatever happens from here on in, all four know they are in the Champion of Champions next week so they can focus on just winning their match.
We have one semi-final between two of the very best the game has ever seen but the other one should be good in its own right between two men much better than their trophy tally would suggest to date.
Morning Session
Thepchaiya Un-Nooh vs Kyren Wilson
When the tournament began Ronnie O’Sullivan was expected to be in the opening semi-final of the competition but it is Thai number one Thepchaiya Un-Nooh and the impressive Kyren Wilson who will meet over the best of 11 frames for a place in Sunday’s final instead.
Un-Nooh showed a lot of poise under pressure in the quarter final, coming back from 4-2 down to beat Dave Gilbert in a deciding frame while Wilson saw off the challenge of Zhou Yuelong to face another talented Asian in this semi-final. This one could go either way with the form they are in. I’m firmly hoping that Un-Nooh comes out on top because I’m effectively on him at 50/1 having backed him to win the tournament outright at the start of the week. That will do me for this semi-final.
Open up an 888sport account and bet £10 to get a £5 free bet on EVERY Satuday EPL match!! That’s £40 in free bets!! Click the image above to bet. New accounts only. Use code PL40. 18+ T&Cs apply. Gamble Aware.
Afternoon Session
Judd Trump vs John Higgins
The pick of the two semi-finals is very much the second one as Judd Trump takes on John Higgins in what is a repeat of the World Championship final from earlier in the year. Trump broke the heart of Higgins on that occasion and he’ll be out to repeat that agony again here.
Trump has made it through the draw this week but he hasn’t played his fluent best and you would suggest that he is going to have to do that if he is to come through here. I don’t think Higgins has played his best stuff yet either but he has slowly warmed to the task and played better against Stuart Bingham in the quarter final on Friday.
Higgins has a decent record over Trump overall but lost the match that really mattered to him. With both yet to hit their peak I think we could be in for a really juicy contest, one which should be close throughout as so many of their previous meetings have been. I fancy we might see the best of them here which will make for great viewing and over 9.5 frames is the way forward for me.
Tips
WON – Back J.Trump vs J.Higgins – Over 9.5 frames for a 4/10 stake at 2.25 with William Hill
Back it here:
Copyright secured by Digiprove © 2019
