The first four days of the Northern Ireland Open have been crazy, frantic, exciting and dramatic but now the tournament begins to resemble a major competition from here on in beginning with the quarter finals, all four of which will be played over the best of nine frames across two sessions in Belfast on Friday.
Thursday was a day of shocks as the two men expected to feature in a tasty quarter final in John Higgins and Ronnie O’Sullivan were both beaten. There were also defeats for Ricky Walden, Joe Perry and Anthony McGill to leave us with an unexpected quarter final line up.
Afternoon Session
Michael White vs Barry Hawkins
The quarter final line up begins with Barry Hawkins looking to make another major semi when he takes on the Welshman Michael White who it is good to see back in form. White has been scoring really well this week and if he can keep that up we will have a belter of a quarter final. Hawkins looks good so far as well so I wouldn’t be surprised if this goes all the way. I do have my doubts about White at this stage of a tournament though so I’m not too interested in a bet.
Kyren Wilson vs Mark Williams
The second quarter final of the afternoon was meant to be between Ronnie O’Sullivan and John Higgins but nobody told these two about that script. Instead we have Kyren Wilson against Mark Williams and I guess the match may well be decided by which player gets over their big win the best and refocuses for this match. I’m hoping it will be Wilson as I’m on him outright so being on him at effectively 12.5/1 here is enough interest for me.
Evening Session
Mark Allen vs Anthony Hamilton
Both these quarter finals in this session take place at the same time. On the TV table we have the local hero Mark Allen who will be expected to come through against Anthony Hamilton. He’s probably expected to win the tournament now but that will only add to the pressure that is on him.
I think Allen will win this. He mentioned on interview on Thursday it was his goal to get to this stage where the format extends and he can relax and let the quality of his game come through and I fancy he’ll do that. Sadly the bookies must have heard that too because he is a 2.5 frame handicap which is a frame higher than I’d like given that Hamilton can still be dangerous.
Hossein Vafaei Ayouri vs Mark King
The only match of the day on the other table looks a fairly low key contest as the Iranian player Hossein Vafaei Ayouri competes in his first professional quarter final when he takes on the experienced Mark King.
Credit to Ayouri for getting to this stage and indeed for the level of scoring he has shown in the event so far but I fancy experience to get the better of him here. Mark King might not have been in the best of form this season so far but he did make three quarter finals and a semi-final last season. I think he reaches the last four here too and I think he does it with a bit in hand.
Tips
WON – Back M.King (-1.5 frames) to beat H-V.Ayouri for a 4/10 stake at 2.00 with Paddy Power
Back him here:
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