The opening night of the World Grand Prix sees the action coming thick and fast with eight matches to kick the tournament off at the CityWest Hotel in Dublin. Some of the top names in the game are on the oche right from the start so we’re in for a decent night.
All the matches in the first round are the best of three sets so there is no room to breathe for those in action and we’ll see lots of nerves and drama as the double start format really sorts the men out from the boys.
First Four Matches
The night begins with an overseas contest as Kyle Anderson takes on Cristo Reyes before Ian White plays Kim Huybrechts in a match which has strong credentials for being the pick of the opening evening. James Wade plays Terry Jenkins in a repeat of the 2007 final and Gerwyn Price plays Benito van de Pas.
Last Four Matches
Adrian Lewis takes on Jelle Klaasen in an exciting looking battle. Then the defending champion Robert Thornton begins his title defence with a tough looking clash with Stephen Bunting. The opening night concludes with the world champion Gary Anderson playing Jamie Caven and Mervyn King taking on Raymond Barneveld.
Betting
I’m never one for many bets in this first round. The best of three sets format makes it a lottery without even considering the double start element to the tournament as well so for the first couple of nights I’m going to be a little low key. That said there are a couple I like here.
The first one is the 180 count for Ian White. I know we have one less scoring shot in this format but the number of 160 starts aren’t that high that a 180s count could suffer so the over 2.5 180s line looks very much achievable. I’ve mentioned in previous tournaments just how heavy a 180 hitter White is and you would think there is every chance his match with Kim Huybrechts has plenty of mileage.
I’m expecting the full three sets in this one in what should be a high quality encounter and that should be long enough for White to pick up the three 180s we need for this bet to win.
The other bet I like is for Gerwyn Price to beat Benito van de Pas. The Dutchman comes into this match under a bit of an online cloud after a video emerged that he claimed a leg in a Players Championship event when he clearly busted his score over the weekend and those things play on minds of both individuals involved and anyone in the crowd who has seen it.
I wouldn’t be surprised if van de Pas struggles for focus here and that won’t be good against a Price who loves the big stage and seems to up his game on it accordingly. Van de Pas is capable of missing a few too many doubles whereas Price is generally pretty solid on them so the odds against on him winning looks good to me.
Tips
Back I.White – Over 2.5 180s for a 3/10 stake at 2.50 with Bet365
Back it here:
Back G.Price to beat B.van de Pas for a 4/10 stake at 2.20 with Boylesports
Back him here:
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