Oh we are only two days away from the biggest tournament of the year, World Championship. After adding a series of new events and PTCs/EPTCs this season, the standard of the game has raised. Players can keep their form throughout the year. I expect competition of WC this year will be very intense.
Today we will look at the upper half of the draw which features Defending World Champion Neil Robertson, 2011 China Open winner Judd Trump, Mark Selby and Masters Champion Ding Junhui.
Match 1 - Neil Robertson v Judd Trump
First Session : 10am, Saturday April 16
Second Session: 7pm, Saturday April 16
It is one of the most exciting matches in Round 1. Although Trump won his first ranking title in China early this month, I still consider Robertson as my favour. Both players are really good long-potters, good at scoring but I do think Robertson takes advantages in white ball control and dealing with pressure. Can Robertson break the 'Crucible Curse' and defend his title as a first time winner? We will see :-)
My Prediction: Robertson to win 10-7
Match 2 - Marco Fu v Martin Gould
First Session : 10am, Tuesday April 19
Second Session: 10am, Wednesday April 20
It is a re-match of Round 1 of WC last year! Fu and Gould drew against each other again, Gould won 10-9 last year. If Robertson wins his match against Trump, winner will play Robertson again. What a coincidence :-) Both players enjoy a good season, having Fu entered Masters Final and Gould reached PTC Final last month. Fu improved his stability and showed us some of his best snooker. Gould played well too but I back Fu for winning.
My Prediction: Fu to win 10-8
Match 3 - Graeme Dott v Mark King
My Prediction: Dott to win 10-6
Match 4 - Ali Carter v Dave Harold
It might be a long match for the fans and the referee. Carter seems to find his form back in the last two tournaments. Carter reached semi-final last year and enjoys playing her. Harold is a slow player and will try to grind Carter. Carter has to be patient for winning.
My Prediction: Carter to win 10-5
Match 5 - Ding Junhui v Jamie Burnett
My Prediction: Ding to win 10-6
Match 6 - Peter Ebdon v Stuart Bingham
My Prediction: Ebdon to win 10-8
Match 7 - Stephen Hendry v Joe Perry
My Prediction: Hendry to win 10-8
Match 8 - Mark Selby v Jimmy Robertson
My Prediction: Selby to win 10-4
Part 2 of the preview to be continued..... 2011 World Snooker Championship Round 1 Preview (Part 2)
First Session : 2.30pm, Tuesday April 19
Second Session: 2.30pm, Wednesday April 20
It is a tricky draw for Dott and King is hard to be beaten. Dott had a decent run last year here by reaching the final. Although King dropped out of top 16 seeds in the last cut-off of ranking, he is still a good player with solid performance. I tip Dott to win the match as Dott has a good record in WC and suits the long format.
My Prediction: Dott to win 10-6
Match 4 - Ali Carter v Dave Harold
First Session : 2.30pm, Saturday April 16
Second Session: 7pm, Sunday April 17
It might be a long match for the fans and the referee. Carter seems to find his form back in the last two tournaments. Carter reached semi-final last year and enjoys playing her. Harold is a slow player and will try to grind Carter. Carter has to be patient for winning.
Match 5 - Ding Junhui v Jamie Burnett
First Session : 10am, Sunday April 17
Second Session: 10am, Monday April 18
Ding is so-so after winning the Masters title ealry this year. Burnett is not an easy player to beat and that's why he reached final of 2010 Shanghai Masters. Ding does not do particular well in the Crucible, his best record is Round 2. I believe Ding can manage to win if he keeps an average performance against Burnett.
Match 6 - Peter Ebdon v Stuart Bingham
First Session : 7pm, Monday April 18
Second Session: 7pm, Tuesday April 19
Ebdon got back to the top 16 seeds early this season and maintain a stable performance. Bingham as a qualifier is doing quite well, beating O'Sullivan in Round 1 of UK and qualified for most of the ranking tournaments. This match is quite hard to predict, but I think Ebdon can win as he is a World Champion.
Match 7 - Stephen Hendry v Joe Perry
First Session : 2.30pm, Sunday April 17
Second Session: 2.30pm, Monday April 18
Hendry is now facing a problem, he will be out of the top 16 seeds if he loses this match. He needs the ranking points to hold his seat. However Perry is a tough competitor, once reached semi-final here in 2008. Hendry is capble to win but he struggules recently It must be a challenge for Hendry.
Match 8 - Mark Selby v Jimmy Robertson
First Session : 7pm, Wednesday April 20
Second Session: 1pm, Thursday April 21
As a debutant, J. Robertson will never want to draw Selby. Selby is an opponent hard to deal with, his strong mental and great safety can be everything. I think it is an easy draw for Selby. Selby should win comfortably.
My Prediction: Selby to win 10-4
Part 2 of the preview to be continued..... 2011 World Snooker Championship Round 1 Preview (Part 2)
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