World Snooker Championship 2011 Round 1 Preview (Part 2)

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Last 32 Draw of World Snooker Championship

The lower half of the draw is very exciting, features three of the biggest star in the game John Higgins, Mark Williams and Ronnie O'Sullivan. It's really hard to pick a winner of this half draw.

Match 9 - Mark Williams v Ryan Day

First Session : 2.30pm, Saturday April 16   

Second Session: 7pm, Sunday April 17

Two welshmen fight for a seat in Round 2. Williams had a very good season so far. He won a ranking title and rooting for a no. 1 spot at the end of the season. Day beated O'Sullivan in two consecutive ranking events recently. We cannot write Day off. The match should be very close. I believe Williams can win the match by his in-form performances. 

My Prediction: Williams to win 10-7

 

Match 10 - Jamie Cope v Andrew Pagett

First Session : 10am, Saturday April 16   

Second Session: 10am, Sunday April 17

Andrew Pagett is one of the debutants in the Crucible this year.He won four qualifying matches, knocking out Zhang Anda, Bjorn Haneveer, Nigel Bond and Andrew Higginson to qualify. As a debutant, Andrew might face some pressure to play in the Crucible for the first time. Jamie Cope does not have a good season this year, he usaually makes early exits in tournaments. He only reached semi-final of 2010 Shanghai Masters and final of Hainan Classic. However Cope is very sharp with his long-potting and heavy scoring. So I believe Cope can through to Last 16.

My Prediction: Cope to win 10-6

Match 11 - Mark Allen v Matthew Stevens

First Session : 7pm, Tuesday April 19   

Second Session: 7pm, Sunday April 20

Allen has revealed he is battling depression and receiving professional help at the moment. I am not sure if Allen is ready for the WC. On the other hand, Stevens is is a competitive opponent and quite confidence as he has backed to his winning form. Stevens has a good record against Allen. He has beaten Allen in the Crucible a few years ago. I tip Stevens to win over Allen.

My Prediction: Stevens to win 10-8

Match 12 - Stephen Maguire v Barry Hawkins

First Session : 10am, Monday April 18   

Second Session: 7pm, Monday April 18

Maguire is busy in spending time with his families because he just got a baby. An Round 1 exit losing to Mark Davis did not surprise me. Hawkins is a player needs to be awared, otherwise you will lose. Maguire needs to find back his form to win. I fancy Maguire can through to next round as he is more experienced.

My Prediction: Maguire to win 10-6


Match 13 - Shaun Murphy v Marcus Campbell

First Session : 7pm, Saturday April 16   

Second Session: 2.30pm, Sunday April 17

Not one of the most exciting match in Round 1. I expect Murphy to win this comfortably. He finds his form at the end of the season with a not very good beginning of this season. Long potting and stable scoring could probably help Murphy to reach the Last 16.

My Prediction: Murphy to win 10-5

Match 14 - Ronnie O'Sullivan v Dominic Dale

First Session : 2.30m, Monday April 18   

Second Session: 2.30pm, Tuesday April 18

O'Sullivan wanted to withdraw from WC this year but he finally changed his mind. He also revealed that he was consulting a sports psychiatrist at the moment. He said that he wanted to win and get back to the winning form. Dale is a trickey component and easily makes a steal if O'Sullivan continue his horrible performances in last two tournaments. O'Sullivan needs to aware his long potting and avoid leaving chances for Dale.

My Prediction: O'Sullivan to win 10-7

Match 15 - Ricky Walden v Rory Mcleod

First Session : 10am, Tuesday April 19   

Second Session: 10am, Wednesday April 20

This might be another long match in Round 1. Walden did not have some impressive performances after he entered top 16 this season. I expect to see more from 2009 Shanghai Masters Winner. Mcleod will try every trick to slow down the match. Walden needs more patient to win it. 

My Prediction: Walden to win 10-6

Match 16 - John Higgins v Stephen Lee

First Session : 2.30pm, Wednesday April 20   

Second Session: 2.30pm, Thursday April 21

Last match of Round 1 is a very very exciting and viewable match for snooker fans! (At least for me :-) ) It is a rematch of last year UK Championship, again it's in Round 1. Lately Lee beat superb Williams on China Open last month. Of course he is capable to win over Higgins, but not so much in a long match. Higgins is a magician, he comes from falling behind into leading within a session. I wish the two players show us another amazing match for us :-)

My Prediction: Higgins to win 10-8

 Here's the end of my Round 1 Preview of World Championship :-) Hope you enjoy my preview and enjoy WC starts on Saturday, April 16 !