China Open 2011: Last 32 matches Preview - (Part 2)
Continued from Part 1
Ali Carter vs. Stuart Bingham
Ali Carter, who has moved up to 7th place in the world rankings, will definitely have an edge in this contest. His recent performances have been pretty good. The 31-year-old Essex player, Carter reached the finals of the Welsh Open where he lost
by a frame score of 6-2 to world number one, John Higgins. He has also been looking in devastating form in the Snooker Championship League.
Mark Allen vs. Marcus Campbell/Mei Xiwen
The Dumbarton Destroyer, Marcus Campbell, will be a strong favourite in his wild card round against the China’s Mei Xiwen. However, his chances of overcoming Mark Allen are low.
World number 11 Allen, who is vastly experienced, has been in excellent form of late and is capable of going all the way in the tournament.
Jamie Cope vs. Robert Milkins/Rouzi Maimaiti
Robert Milkins is the clear favourite in the wild card round against the China’s Maimaiti, and he will not be too worried about his first round match as well, even though Cope has a better chance of going through.
World number 13 Cope is an attacking player and has the capability to score heavily. All the top 16 players are tough but Cope is a slightly easier opponent for Milkins.
Mark Selby vs. Jimmy White/Tian Pengfei
This match will be one of the most interesting of the first round. It will be a battle of age versus experience, as White is a heavy favourite in his wild card round against the Chinese, Tian Pengfei.
This match is definitely going to pull a huge crowd as the people’s champion, Jimmy White, will be there. The six-time World Championship finalist has not been able to make it to the home of snooker this year, which is a huge disappointment for his fans,
but he will try his best to win the China Open.
Two-time Master Champion Selby will fancy his chances, since he is in top form. However, things could still change if the Whirlwind of London Town, Jimmy White, is able to regain his devastating form.
John Higgins vs. Nigel Bond/Jin Long
The shoot-out champion, Nigel Bond, will be a firm favourite in the wild card round but when it comes to the last 32, it’s a completely different story.
The current world number one, John Higgins, is in a superb form since he has returned. He is a player who can produce a tournament winning game at this point in time, so he will be happy with his first round opponent, as it could give him the confidence
he needs to put in a good run at the tournament.
Ricky Walden vs. Martin Gould
This could be a fully stretched battle. It is hard to predict who is going to win, as both players are quite close in the world rankings. However, it’s going to be good one for the crowd. They are both attractive players to watch. Whoever wins will have
a real edge going into the last 16.
Continued in Part 3
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