Grand Prix and UK champions in action, and a repeat of the 2006 world final.
Ding Junhui v Stuart Pettman
Ding Junhui has appeared in three finals this season. He won the UK Championship in December, beating John Higgins. He lost the Grand Prix final to Neil Robertson, and he recently just lost in his home event at the China Open to Mark Williams in the final. Ding Junhui had a difficult time after the 2006 Masters final defeat to Ronnie O’Sullivan. He was mentally scarred by the occasion, and it took him at least two seasons to get over that. He has shown this season that that trauma is in the past, however, and has been second to Higgins in consistency. Pettman will not cause an upset, and it should be a routine win for Ding.
Prediction: Ding 10-4 Pettman
Ryan Day v Mark Davis
Ryan Day will be hoping to have a strong tournament. Although he does not have a ranking title, he came close in 2008, losing 9-7 to Higgins in the Grand Prix. Day has had a good Crucible campaign over the last two years. He has reached the quarter-finals in that period. He is always ranked amongst potential players to win a tournament. He has been inconsistent this season, though - he would win a game by a huge margin, and then that form would disappear. Mark Davis is enjoying his best season ever. He has won a lot of matches, and he looks to be heading for a place in the top 32 next season.
Prediction: Day 10-6 Davis
Neil Robertson v Fergal O’Brien
Neil Robertson will be looking to build on last year’s campaign, where he lost in a thrilling semi-final to Shaun Murphy. Robertson has received much criticism for not being able to play the long session format. He proved the critics wrong last year by doing so well, and was unfortunate not to progress to the final. Fergal O’Brien has slipped to 31 in the world rankings, and has not had a good two seasons. Robertson won the Grand Prix in Glasgow in the early part of the season, and has won three ranking tournaments. On the day, Robertson will blow O’Brien away.
Prediction: Robertson 10-4 O’Brien
Peter Ebdon v Graeme Dott
This is a repeat of the 2006 final that saw Dott become world champion. The match will be remembered for being a marathon and a bore. Ebdon is a former champion, winning in 2002, beating Stephen Hendry 18-17, and prepares better than anyone else for this tournament. Dott has been anonymous since he won the 2006 world championship, and does not look capable of winning another event again.
Ebdon will have the mental edge over Dott, and should prevail without a worry.
Prediction: Ebdon 10-5 Dott
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