Shanghai Masters Snooker Tips: One player to back from each quarter

Paul Krishnamurty
17 September 2016

Neil Robertson is in much the easier half of the draw

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Twelve months ago Paul Krishnamurty landed 149-1 winner Kyren Wilson in the Shanghai Masters. Check out his usual four-pronged trading plan for this year's renewal...

"Robertson has already won an event this term in Riga and if in any sort of form, should ease to the quarters and trade much shorter than 9.08/1."

The evidence from last season strongly suggested snooker is becoming more open and competitive than ever and early results this term confirm that trend. Four minor ranking events over the summer yielded eight different finalists.

This is not particularly surprising, as the early season has always been a great time to be taking on the big names before they're fully tuned up, with their main targets and the biggest prizes several months away. Indeed 12 months ago, this column identified a first-time winner at 150.0149/1 in Kyren Wilson.

Back Kyren Wilson 1u @ 60.059/1

Usually, one might expect the defending champion to benefit from their number one seeding and get a reasonably sympathetic draw. No such luck for Wilson, however, who is pitched in a pretty brutal section, most notably including Ronnie O'Sullivan.

Nevertheless, given the odds available I reckon it's worth sticking with Warrior Wilson - an outstanding prospect destined for the very top. Who knows, by the end of the season, he could be one of the Rocket's main challengers for the world title?

Wilson certainly won many admirers in the latest Crucible renewal, before one bad session against eventual champion Mark Selby put paid to a promising bid. As we saw in the final here last year, he has the game and temperament to rise to the big occasion, and might just relish this title defence.

As always, an on-song Ronnie could ease to this title but odds of 4.1 don't really appeal on his competitive seasonal debut. He's been playing the Legends series against Judd Trump and reportedly flying, such is his nature, but ranking events are a different test. It only takes one bad session to ruin your chance in these short matches, and there is plenty of capable opposition.

The other big-guns in this quarter are 2013 champion Ding Junhui and 2014 runner-up Mark Allen. Neither are exactly famed for reliability, though, and if looking for an alternative to Wilson, I'd prefer a couple at much bigger odds. The talented Liang Wenbo had some great results last term and is a another former Shanghai runner-up. Anthony McGill is an excellent prospect with a win already under his belt this season at the Indian Open.

Back Ricky Walden 1u @ 60.059/1

This second section confirms that this is the much tougher half of the draw. Judd Trump and Shaun Murphy offer impeccable world-class credentials, backed up by Barry Hawkins, Stephen Maguire and my pick Walden.

Trump was at his outstanding best when winning last season's China Open and seems to thrive in Asia. However he's still a very unreliable character, especially in these shorter matches. Murphy doesn't usually produce his best early season.

Walden also fits the bill, winning all three of his ranking titles during the early season in China in this event, the International Championship and Wuxi Classic. He only found Trump too good in the final on his last visit to the country.

Back Stuart Bingham 2u @ 32.031/1

In stark contrast, this is a very weak section including only two players who could really be classed as from the game's elite - one of whom is in decline. John Higgins can still produce genuinely world-class form but you never know when.

Stuart Bingham struggled to cope with world champion status last season but I'll take a chance that 'Ballrun' goes on a run here. He's been busy enough and has a habit of playing himself into form early season, winning this title in impressive style two years ago.

The only others that came under consideration were Ali Carter - winner of the World Open - plus Marco Fu and David Gilbert, neither of whom have much in the recent form column to recommend.

Back Neil Robertson 6u @ 9.08/1

A cheap trio of bets in the above sections mean I can confidently back the player who has done this column more favours than anyone over the years. Especially in events like this. Robertson has already won an event this term in Riga and if in any sort of form, should ease to the quarters and trade much shorter than 9.08/1.

The most obvious danger at the stage is world champion Selby but the Jester often struggles early in tournaments and won't have it all his own way. Martin Gould was highly progressive last term and is a good value 60.059/1 chance. Equally, Joe Perry must be respected after finishing runner-up in the World Open.

Follow Paul on Twitter @paulmotty