The second semi-final of the Shanghai Masters takes place on Saturday and at the end of the day we will know who Ronnie O’Sullivan will face for the biggest prize of the snooker season to date after Ding Junhui and Barry Hawkins have battled it out to face the Rocket in Sunday’s final.
Both men have made it safely through to this stage and both have plenty of experience at this part of a tournament so we’re all set up for a fascinating best-of-19 frame semi-final over two sessions of play.
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Ding Junhui
The Chinese great always has expectation and pressure on himself in these events out in China and this one has been no different. He has come through the draw nicely but he has had to go the distance in both of his matches which might be significant if this one goes close. To be fair to him he has shown there is nothing wrong with his nerve under pressure.
One thing we have seen from Ding which is a concern going forward is a few lapses in concentration. It almost cost him in the quarter final against Mark Selby but if it continues you sense it will find him out sooner rather than later. On the flip side of that there has been nothing wrong with his scoring when he has been in the balls.
Barry Hawkins
There used to be a perception that Barry Hawkins never came to the party early on in a season, preferring instead to have himself peaking for the World Championship at the end of the campaign but we are seeing nothing of the sort from him this time around. He has already made the semi-finals of the World Open and now here.
I have long since had this feeling that Hawkins is better in the longer matches and I’m expecting to see that again here. Already this week he has polished off Stephen Maguire and Mark Williams. This might be his toughest test to date but his win over Ding in the World Championship is recent enough in the memory to give him a confidence boost should he need it.
Head to Head
These two players have met 15 times in the past in all competitions and it is Barry Hawkins who holds a narrow 8-7 lead. This is the second time they have met in a semi-final with Ding winning their first last four clash but it is Hawkins who has won all of their matches of more than one session, including that World Championship quarter final in April. Hawkins leads 68-57 in frames won which suggests when he wins he tends to win well.
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Betting
Ding is probably a worthy favourite on home soil but we are at the stage of a tournament where Barry Hawkins tends to rise to the fore. Generally when he gets beyond one-session matches he is tough to beat and that is exactly how I expect him to be in this semi-final.
Ding has come through nicely but I don’t think he faced Selby at his best and the lapses in concentration and simple balls he missed in that match was undoubtedly a concern. I fancy Hawkins will be too good for him over the long distance once again and at odds against he is well worth backing.
Tips
WON – Back B.Hawkins to beat D.Junhui for a 4/10 stake at 2.40 with BetVictor
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