Monday January 13th 2025
Mark Williams V Ding Junhui - 13:00
Two legends of the sport battle it out for a place in the quarter-final. It is Ding who holds the upper hand (14-8) in head-to-heads with the Welshman but the pair have only met once at the Masters with the Chinese superstar coming out on top 6-4.
A victory in his home country at the International Championship has been a highlight this season for Ding as he has struggled at times to make the latter stages of tournaments.
Williams was also in the winners circle as he impressively came out on top in the Champion of Champions defeating Ding's fellow countryman Xiao Guodong 10-6 in the final.
It's a very close match to call the winner of and if either player can hit form throughout it may be the deciding factor of who comes out on top in this one.
A repeat result of the deciding frame UK Championship Quarter-Final between the pair in 2023 would not be a surprise.
Prediction: 6-5 Ding
Mark Selby V Ali Carter - 19:00
Two warriors of the game. It promises to be a hard-fought encounter. Both players have performed well at times during the season with Selby’s consistency particularly impressive.
He will have his sights set on adding to his collection of three Masters titles (2008, 2010 & 2013) but has a tricky opener against last year’s runner-up to navigate through first.
He holds a commanding lead in head-to-head's over tonight's opponent (25-16) but the pair have only met in Alexandra Palace once before with Carter coming out on top in 2020 (6-4).
It was an inspired run to the final from the captain 12 months ago impressively defeating Mark Williams, Judd Trump & Mark Allen along the way.
That will give him huge confidence as he returns to the venue tonight to take on one of the fiercest competitors in the sport.
But most importantly Selby has been quoted during the week saying his mental health is in a good place at the moment, coupled with the form he has shown over the past week in the Championship League mean he is a live contender this week.
I think he will have too much for Carter tonight.
Prediction: 6-3 Selby
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