SNOOKER analyst George Weyham (@GWSnookerTips) takes a look at the outright market ahead of the 2018 World Open.
I have four bets I like the look of in the opening round in Yushan, plus one multiple to share.
Scott Donaldson v Luca Brecel | Monday 6th August 2018, 12:30
First up, is Scott Donaldson to get the better of Luca Brecel is 13/10 with Bet365.
Brecel won his maiden ranking event at the China Championship last season but from the Masters in early January until the end of the season, he won just two matches and lost nine.
His confidence looked shot at the Crucible. He didn't pull up any trees either last week in Riga, losing his first match to Mark Davis.
Opponent Donaldson is gradually moving up the rankings and has made ranking semi finals in both the past two seasons. Donaldson won their last meeting in 2016 too.
Scott is a consistent sort and in that department is a safer option to his Belgian rival. At 13/10, Donaldson looks real value.
Thepchaiya Un-Nooh v Stephen Maguire | Monday 6th August 2018, 14:30
Thepchaiya Un-Nooh is one of the most naturally-talented players on tour and I like him at 2/1 (Bet365) to beat last week’s Riga semi-finalist Stephen Maguire.
Un Nooh qualified for the Crucible in April for the first time. I watched him in the final qualifying round in Sheffield and he showed real nerves of steel and quality to qualify. He went up in my estimation.
Un Nooh beat Maguire here in 2014. In fact, this event alone since coming to China, Maguire has three first round losses in five years. The other two years he lost in the second round.
It’s not a good hunting ground and could be four first round loss when he meets up with Un Nooh.
Harvey Chandler v Kurt Maflin | Tuesday 7th August 2018, 07:30
Tour rookie Harvey Chandler has started the season encouragingly and I see it continuing with an upset win over Kurt Maflin.
Chandler defeated former top 16 player Michael White to get here – a cracking win. He made the final in one of the leading Pro-Am's in the UK just last weekend. He compiled five centuries and he beat another former top 16 player Rob Milkins in the semi-final 4-0.
Opponent Maflin is talented, but frustrating. I watched him self-destruct in Riga against Liang Wenbo. For someone so experienced, he's tactically inept.
I like what I see so far from Chandler. The European amateur champion is a tasty 7/2 (Bet365) for victory.
Sunni Akani v Barry Hawkins | Monday 6th August 2018, 12:30
I think Sunni Akani (Songsermawad) is overpriced at 3/1 (Ladbrokes) to beat Barry Hawkins.
Akani won their previous meeting 6-0 last December at the UK Championship. He is known for resting his chin on the cue extension when playing with a rest. A very unorthodox but effective and classy player.
Hawkins had a shock loss in the first round in Riga to Li Hang. He also lost six times in the first round last season.
A bit like Maguire, he has a poor record in this event in China with only three wins in five years. Sunni can damage that record further.
First Round Multiple
Lastly, I like a first round accumulator of Rob Milkins, Ricky Walden, Jamie Jones, Kyren Wilson, Ali Carter and Liang Wenbo all to win.
It pays just over 11/2 with Betfair.
Best Bets
World Open – Scott Donaldson to beat Luca Brecel (13/10 Bet365)
World Open – Thepchaiya Un-Nooh to beat Stephen Maguire (2/1 Bet365)
World Open – Harvey Chandler to beat Kurt Maflin (7/2 Bet365)
World Open – Sunni Akani to beat Barry Hawkins (3/1 Ladbrokes)
World Open – Robert Milkins, Ricky Walden, Jamie Jones, Liang Wenbo, Ali Carter, Kyren Wilson all to win (11/2 Betfair)
