We have reached the quarter final of the Xi’an Grand Prix with all four matches being played out across two sessions of action out in China on Friday on a day where we will find out which four players will compete in the one table set up.
We have had so many shocks this week that we don’t actually have any match which has two members of the top eight facing each other like they should be but we should have four decent snooker matches to get stuck into.
Afternoon Session
We have a high profile first session to enjoy on Friday where the headline act will be the world champion Kyren Wilson who looks to creep a little closer to a first title of the season. He meets the marathon man Xu Si who has won every match this week in a deciding frame so he is certainly battle hardened. The other match sees Ronnie O’Sullivan looking to make it into another ranking event semi-final when he takes on a Matt Selt who has certainly ridden his luck a little this week but who will be looking for the biggest shock of the lot so far.
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Evening Session
The later session is all about the quest of Judd Trump to win a second Chinese title of the new season to add to his Shanghai Masters victory of last month. He is involved in what looks like the pick of the quarter finals on paper as he meets the World Championship semi-finalist Dave Gilbert, who saw off Mark Selby in a deciding frame in the previous round. The other match sees Barry Hawkins aiming to make it through to another semi-final. He traditionally doesn’t start seasons well so his run here is a surprise and one which Daniel Wells will be looking to end when they meet.
Betting
We have four strong favourites against four solid outsiders in these quarter finals and in truth it is hard to go against the fancied players, although I am hoping that Dave Gilbert can upset the applecart and progress to the semi-final as I’m on him outright. I think the most vulnerable favourite could be Kyren Wilson, who has done enough to make it through to the quarter final stage but hasn’t really lit the tournament up in the fashion you would want a world champion to do.
I still think Wilson will beat Xu Si but the Chinese player certainly isn’t going to be short of motivation in what is his first quarter final on home soil. That is motivation enough but with the money on show as well he will be doubly motivated. He has battled hard at times this week but he has also made three tons in the last two matches so when he gets in he is scoring as well. Wilson has laboured a little this week and I’m not convinced he is completely happy with his game at the minute. I think this could turn into a battle so the odds against on over 7.5 frames appeals to me. It has landed in all three Xu Si games this week and the last two Wilson ones so it will do for me.
Tips
Back K.Wilson vs X.Si – Over 7.5 frames for a 3/10 stake at 2.10 with Betway
