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Ssb - on your marks...
After no deciders at all last year we’ve had six from the first ten matches in this year’s Betfair Masters, including two more yesterday.
Neil Robertson played what he described as the best shot of his career when he potted a red when snookered and made a century to beat Mark Allen.
Last night, Shaun Murphy roared back from 4-1 down to edge John Higgins 6-5, proving once again that there are few better in full attacking mode.
Will the pattern continue today?
JUDD TRUMP v GRAEME DOTT
Trump dodged a Barry Hawkins-sized bullet in the first round while Dott laboured to see off his fellow Scot Stephen Maguire.
Neither man was at their best but came good when it mattered, particularly Trump, who finished off in style with a century.
The last time they met, in China last season, it was Dott who went for everything when 4-1 down. The strategy almost worked before Trump won 5-4.
There’s nothing flash about Dott. He isn’t trying to project any sort of image. What you see is what you get: an honest, hard working and at times very tough match player.
Trump has the flair but Dott has the will to win on the big stage. Even so, I feel the Juddernaut will roll on.
PREDICTION: Trump 6-4
MARK SELBY v MARK WILLIAMS
I think Williams’s slump in form and confidence can be traced back to his 10-9 defeat from 9-7 up to Selby in the 2011 Shanghai Masters final, the red/pink controversy and all.
Williams was poor against Matthew Stevens and claimed afterwards that he had dragged him down.
Selby was inspired in recovering from 5-1 down to see off Stuart Bingham 6-5, producing if anything better snooker than he mustered in winning the UK Championship last month.
Selby has great respect for Williams but will seek to exploit any repeat of the weaknesses so apparent in the Welshman’s game in the first round.
It will take a turnaround in form for Williams to remain on target for a third Masters title.
PREDICTION: Selby 6-3
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Neil Robertson played what he described as the best shot of his career when he potted a red when snookered and made a century to beat Mark Allen.
Last night, Shaun Murphy roared back from 4-1 down to edge John Higgins 6-5, proving once again that there are few better in full attacking mode.
Will the pattern continue today?
JUDD TRUMP v GRAEME DOTT
Trump dodged a Barry Hawkins-sized bullet in the first round while Dott laboured to see off his fellow Scot Stephen Maguire.
Neither man was at their best but came good when it mattered, particularly Trump, who finished off in style with a century.
The last time they met, in China last season, it was Dott who went for everything when 4-1 down. The strategy almost worked before Trump won 5-4.
There’s nothing flash about Dott. He isn’t trying to project any sort of image. What you see is what you get: an honest, hard working and at times very tough match player.
Trump has the flair but Dott has the will to win on the big stage. Even so, I feel the Juddernaut will roll on.
PREDICTION: Trump 6-4
MARK SELBY v MARK WILLIAMS
I think Williams’s slump in form and confidence can be traced back to his 10-9 defeat from 9-7 up to Selby in the 2011 Shanghai Masters final, the red/pink controversy and all.
Williams was poor against Matthew Stevens and claimed afterwards that he had dragged him down.
Selby was inspired in recovering from 5-1 down to see off Stuart Bingham 6-5, producing if anything better snooker than he mustered in winning the UK Championship last month.
Selby has great respect for Williams but will seek to exploit any repeat of the weaknesses so apparent in the Welshman’s game in the first round.
It will take a turnaround in form for Williams to remain on target for a third Masters title.
PREDICTION: Selby 6-3
More...