DAY 3 in Cheltenham sees several of snooker’s biggest names still standing in the Unibet British Open, but a number of them are on collision course due to the random draw.
The glamour tie of the afternoon pits fellow Triple Crown winners Shaun Murphy against John Higgins, with the victor likely to face another modern great, Neil Robertson, in the last 16.
Higgins has nothing to prove after a glorious career but is looking for a morale boost after dropping out of the top 16 following a remarkable unbroken run which began on May 1, 1995. The Scot was a member of the game’s elite group for 10,738 days under the reign of nine prime ministers.
He can regain his top 16 place at the end of this week but it needs to start with victory over Murphy, whose own form has been very promising this season. But for Judd Trump, he would’ve won the Shanghai Masters and possibly the new Saudi Arabia Masters too, so Higgins will need to be on his game.
Kyren Wilson breezed through the first round on Monday with minimum fuss and now faces Duane Jones, a Welshman who has had several spells on and off tour. Jones is certainly no pushover but Wilson is loving life as world champion and, having spent years trying to get himself picked for the main table, is now determined to prove why he should be centre stage.
The outside tables also host some mouthwatering matches, not least Stuart Bingham v Stephen Maguire tonight. This is a contest between two recognisable multi-champions who have each been a little quiet in recent seasons, although both came good at the World Championship with Bingham reaching the semi-finals and Maguire the quarters.
One good week can transform a season – indeed a whole career, as Robertson discovered last weekend. So whoever wins between Bingham and Maguire will be hopeful it can spark a full scale resurgence.
Mark Selby did Mark Selby things on Monday, clearing up to beat Pang Junxu 4-3 on the final black, but faces another tough Chinese challenger tonight in the shape of Yuan Sijun.
Today’s Predictions:
Sunny Akani to beat Antoni Kowalski
This is a fascinating encounter between a returning Thai player and a new face from Poland. Akani was on the tour from 2015 to 2022 before re-qualifying at the start of this season. Kowalski, 20, is an exciting talent although his claim not to feel pressure will surely be tested on the professional circuit.
They are both hard workers. Kowalski stayed on for several days in Riyadh after being knocked out to work on his game and there was a time when the only spell Akani had away from the practice table was when he was playing a match.
This is a classic clash of styles. Akani is more methodical, and this may frustrate his more naturally attacking opponent.
Ricky Walden to beat Jamie Clarke
Walden is another in a growing list of 40-something players who have won titles but is now experiencing quite erratic swings in form and results. Even so, the Chester man is still an imposing figure in the arena, a tall, busy player who makes his presence felt.
Clarke has had some good results – he beat Mark Williams in the UK Championship two years ago – but nerves can sometimes play a part. It probably favours him that this match is being played away from the TV table but Walden feels due a run in a big tournament.
David’s Double
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