Saturday 23/11/2024
Ronnie O'Sullivan V Barry Hawkins 13:00
A repeat of the World Championship Final in 2013.
Apart from avoiding good friend Mark Selby, Hawkins among the majority of qualifiers would have been hoping to avoid the reigning Champion O'Sullivan as his record against Ronnie is terrible (18-3 O'Sullivan)
I would've envisaged a deep run this week for the Hawk after impressive victories against Wang Yuchen & Alfie Burden, until the draw was made.
He was totally outclassed in his 6-2 defeat to World Champion Kyren Wilson in Nanjing and I can see a similar outcome today.
World number 5 O’Sullivan has had a quiet season so far, apart from his early exit in the Champion of Champions last week, he has limited his play to China & Saudi Arabia, much to the frustration of fans.
However, he has to take some sort of confidence from his class of 92 compatriot Mark Williams picking up the title last week.
With Ronnie holding a landslide lead in the head to head with Hawkins, it may be an uphill task for the Hawk to progress through to the last 16.
Prediction: 6-2 O'Sullivan
Shaun Murphy V Zhao Xintong 13:00
How will the Barbican crowd react to the return of Zhao Xintong following his ban?
The way he has played throughout qualifying will be a concern to Murphy who will have his hands full against the talented Chinese player.
However, this is the sort of environment Murphy thrives in, he knows there will be extra eyeballs on this match and that brings the best out of the Magician.
I expect him to put on a commanding performance and to progress with the winner of Ding / Milkins up next.
Prediction: 6-1 Murphy
Ding Junhui V Robert Milkins 19:00
Having lifted the International Championship in front of his home fans in Nanjing just a couple of weeks ago, Ding comes into today's match with endless amounts of confidence.
The same can't be said for Milkins who managed to produce an excellent victory to come through against Xu Si on Judgement Day.
His performance did little to exemplify the struggles he has faced this season with a well-fancied Si left in shock at the quality of his opponents play.
Ding has had a steady season and the 3-time winner of this event usually produces his best form when he comes to York.
He has reached the final for the past 2 years only to be defeated by both Ronnie O'Sullivan & Mark Allen, the world number 8 will fancy his chances of making another deep run this year but will have to get through the Milkman first.
Prediction: 6-2 Ding
Xiao Guodong V David Gilbert 19:00
This is a real head-scratcher. Gilbert is one of the best players on tour when on form but Guodong seems to have turned a corner over the last few months.
Lifting the Wuhan Open title while getting to the final of last week's Champion of Champions and narrowly losing out in the semi-final in Nanjing. He is arguably the most in-form player in the world right now.
By his own high standards, Gilbert's had a far from productive season to date, unlike his opponent, he has struggled to string wins together that would see him feature in the latter stages of tournaments.
Despite admittedly not playing his best, the Angry Farmer defeated Xing Zihao and Julien Leclercq to get here.
But world number 16 Guodong poses a different threat and will be sure to capitalise on any opportunity given by Gilbert.
On form alone, it should be a straightforward victory for Guodong but the experience Gilbert has amassed over his career will play a part in the result.
Prediction 6-3 Guodong
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