
A venue like no different (picture courtesy of Steven Hallworth)
As fast as a flash we now head into the second spherical at The Crucible, the primary spherical has produced some glorious performances, most notably for me from the maestro Mark Williams and the 2 children Zhao Xintong and Jackson Web page.
Having been to Sheffield for the opening day there was a palpable air of pleasure and reduction to be again to normality amongst the snooker group. I believe that’s positively feeding into the ambiance inside the sector. Sadly this has not put a cease to the fixed and admittedly tedious debate yearly about shifting it elsewhere.
It solely ever appears to be the gamers which have underperformed there that elevate this subject. Even the beforehand tongue-in-cheek criticism aimed on the venue by Mark Williams has been corrected by the person himself who having watched his second spherical opponent Web page from the balcony seats proclaimed it the very best venue for snooker on the circuit with a ‘nice view kind (sic) wherever #youfogetuntilyouwatchfto@insode (sic)‘Â
So we are able to now look ahead to the Final 16 which incorporates as you’d anticipate a number of matches that ‘could possibly be finals’ in another occasion, so let’s see who’s battling it out from right here on in.
As ever, click on on the match to take you to the Head to Head report courtesy of the wonderful Cue Tracker.
TABLE ONE
Mark Selby v Yan Bingtao (Friday 2.30pm, Saturday 10am and 7pm)
There are loads who’re already writing off Selby’s probabilities this 12 months and have been fast to level out his errors in his opening match. However that’s type of what Selby does right here, he by no means actually appears to be like like steamrollering anybody, significantly within the early rounds, he simply will get the job finished and to me his workmanlike efficiency in opposition to Jones noticed off a really harmful participant taking part in his C recreation, not many different gamers right here can do this. Yan had an early scare in opposition to Chris Wakelin and was spectacular in the way in which he accelerated away when the stress was on, he’s additionally overwhelmed Selby on their previous three conferences so clearly that is one which the Chinese language participant will fancy his probabilities in. Yan is aiming to make the Quarter Finals for the primary time in his profession whereas Selby appears to be like to make the one-table state of affairs for the third 12 months on the spin. Regardless that I flagged up Selby because the winner within the preview, I wouldn’t be a bit shocked if Yan managed to ship him packing right here, but when Selby can come by means of this check, he’s nonetheless bang in competition for a fifth title. Â
Prediction: Yan 13-9
Jackson Web page v Mark Williams (Thursday 1pm, Friday 10am and 7pm)
An outstanding first spherical efficiency by each Welshmen earns them the correct to conflict over the very best of 25 right here. The person Williams refers to as his ‘fourth son’ blew Barry Hawkins away in Spherical One in some of the spectacular Crucible debuts for a few years. The established knowledge of protecting your distance out of your opponent and taking part in your playing cards near your chest has been thrown to the wolves with these two. They continue to be joined on the hip in and across the venue, the one playing cards being stored shut being those they gamble their night meals collectively on. Williams himself was superior within the first spherical and if he retains up that kind he’ll take some stopping. As one shrewd pundit mentioned the opposite day, the shut proximity and relationship between the 2 received’t part Williams one bit on the subject of going into battle, all the danger is on Jackson in that division. However my guess is that a part of Williams’ legendary laid again temperament could have rubbed off on him and I anticipate this to be a no-holds barred affair. Simply by advantage of MJW’s vastly superior expertise and tactical acumen he’ll in all probability win, however it’ll have treasured little to do with the unconventional preparation that each of them have undertaken.  Â
Prediction: Williams 13-10
Kyren Wilson v Stuart Bingham (Sunday 10am and 7pm, Monday 1pm)
Contrasting first spherical matches for these two in opposition to Chinese language opponents noticed Bingham come by means of unscathed and unchallenged in opposition to Lyu whereas Kyren had a battle royale with Ding. They met at this stage in 2017 when Kyren raced off right into a 5-0 lead earlier than being pegged again to 8-7, earlier than finally profitable 13-10. I believe Kyren is a greater participant now than he was again then, specifically within the break-building division which is the world that in my view has elevated him into the higher echelons of the sport. Bingham is one other who hits tons for enjoyable so the guess on this match is most positively the overs on the centuries market. By way of a outcome, given what I’ve simply written there may be nothing to recommend historical past received’t repeat itself and Kyren received’t prevail once more, although they’ve had two very shut matches since on the Masters, every profitable one. Might be a cracker this one. Â
Prediction: Wilson 13-12
Anthony McGill v Judd Trump (Saturday 2.30pm, Sunday 2.30pm, Monday 7pm)
Two pretty mediocre performances in Spherical 1 noticed these two progress as the fashionable day Crucible big killer McGill makes an attempt so as to add Judd to his record of victims down the years. They’ve by no means met over something longer than the very best of seven so the 6-1 face to face in Judd’s favour might be finest taken with a pinch of salt. Of the 2, McGill had the most important check in Spherical 1 and got here by means of in the long run by advantage of a fluke on his option to clear to win, however he’d stored Liam Highfield at arms size all through the match and scrapped to the win. Judd however seemed OK by his requirements however was helped by a poor efficiency by Hossein. I’d anticipate them each to play higher on this match however it’s not one which on paper I can get too enthusiastic about, no outcome on this would shock me however I believe there may be in all probability worth in backing McGill who will be capable to exploit any errors Judd makes lot higher than his final opponent did. So let the Crucible Large Slayer, the Smiling Murderer, the Glaswegian Gladiator or no matter you wish to name him, get to work once more.   Â
Prediction: McGill 13-11
TABLE TWO
Neil Robertson v Jack Lisowski (Saturday 7pm, Sunday 2.30pm, Monday 7pm)
These two met at this stage final 12 months with Robbo working out a reasonably comfy 13-9 winner having solely been behind by the odd body early within the match earlier than pulling clear. Certainly the face to face right here is fairly telling with the Aussie main 6-0. What’s fascinating is that each one their earlier 4 conferences have been multi-session matches with Neil popping out on high every time. By way of kind, Robbo seemed fairly good in patches in his first spherical having survived an early scare however he was by no means actually going to lose that match and the true assessments lie forward. He got here off babbling one thing about having the Crucible because the centre courtroom, just like the tennis, with one other venue elsewhere in Sheffield holding another matches for the plebs, I’m undecided that concept will take off irrespective of what number of instances he says it. Jack went by means of a number of pairs of underpants to lastly put Matthew Stevens out of his distress and his new mentor Peter Ebdon could possibly be seen marching previous purposefully behind him with what seemed like Del Boy’s filofax in his hand, presumably with notes on the match to debate at size together with his pupil, seen to the extra eagle-eyed viewer was one web page in huge pink letters proclaiming ‘GROW A PAIR FFS’. Anyway, head to heads don’t lie and I actually can’t see Jack overturning these stats right here. Neil appears to be having fun with the early levels and that’s not excellent news for the remainder of the sector.  Â
Prediction: Robertson 13-8
Noppon Saengkham v John Higgins (Sunday 10am and 7pm, Monday 1pm)
Undoubtedly one other match to have a very good have a look at the centuries markets, each devastating scorers when within the balls, these two might have an actual break-fest right here I reckon. They’ve met 6 instances over time, by no means greater than a better of 9 however it’s 3 apiece. Curiously, their most up-to-date conferences since 2019 sees Noppon forward 3-1 so Higgins will know that his opponent presents a hazard to him. I did discover it odd that the BBC and to some extent Eurosport classed Noppon’s win over Luca a shock, for all the explanations I gave within the authentic preview, I assumed the Thai was a cracking guess. Higgins within the meantime held off a spirited effort from Thepchaiya kncoking in three tons and a 98, so he’s clearly feeling up for it right here as soon as extra and stays lots of people’s fancy for the title. I believe Noppon has an opportunity right here and I used to be all for flagging him up once more, however I had a niggle simply in the way in which he failed to shut out the match in opposition to Luca sooner, that’s in all probability too important on my half but when he will get in that state of affairs in opposition to Higgins he must be much more ruthless, so on stability I believe Higgins will in all probability prevail, look out for these breaks although. Â
Prediction: Higgins 13-8Â
Zhao Xintong v Stephen Maguire (Thursday 7pm, Friday 2.30pm, Saturday 10am)
On the threat of going all JP on you, I’d not seen Zhao play stay till final Saturday and I be a part of the legions of admirers in saying that he appears to have every little thing wanted to be a world champion. His calming manner across the desk distracts from the ruthlessness and velocity with which he despatches opponents, he barely ever performs the improper shot and appears to let nothing part him. The truth that Ronnie has helped him in a single particular space that he’s not ready to inform anybody about makes me suppose that he has corrected the one a part of his recreation that may have been troubling him. As for Maguire, he little doubt benefitted from a poor efficiency by Shaun Murphy in Spherical 1 however he did all he needed to do to win and break a sample of first spherical defeats right here, if you have a look at his Crucible report he’s misplaced within the first spherical in 7 of the final 9 years which for a participant of his customary may be very poor certainly. This match is all about if Zhao can kick on additional and I believe he can, this child is the true deal and a significant contender for the title even at this early stage in his profitable profession. I believe you’ll battle to search out any common snooker watchers who don’t anticipate him to win right here, so it is going to be fascinating to see how he handles being favorite in opposition to a longtime professional with a fairly intimidating presence on the most important stage of all of them.   Â
Prediction: Zhao 13-8
Mark Allen v Ronnie O’Sullivan (Friday 10am and 7pm, Saturday 2.30pm)Â
The final time these two met it was a nasty tempered affair within the Champion of Champions. As ever when tempers come into it Ronnie was shedding and argued with Allen for over a minute about his positioning when he was down on his shot, Mark coming by means of the match 6-3 in the long run. Going again 13 years we noticed a fresh-faced Allen overcome Ronnie at this stage 13-11 in a memorable match. It appeared inevitable then that Allen could be a world champion sooner fairly than later, however because it turned out that might be the one 12 months he made the one-table state of affairs to at the present time, regardless of a profitable profession away from The Crucible. You’ll be able to solely hope for Allen’s sake that this match invokes the spirit and combat he had again then to make historical past repeat itself. Who would have thought all that point in the past that 13 years later O’Sullivan would nonetheless be #1 on the earth? Ronnie himself appears in effective fettle and has a digital camera crew following him across the venue, presumably desirous to witness at first hand the 12 months snooker’s greatest draw equalled Hendry’s tally of world titles in Oasis-style documentary format. While I do suppose Allen might be impressed right here and luxuriate in popping out because the underdog I believe Ronnie is simply taking part in a bit too nicely in the meanwhile to go residence simply but.  Â
Prediction: O’Sullivan 13-9