Masters Snooker Day 6 Tips: Resurgent Murphy to march on

• Hawkins bidding for fourth straight win over Trump

• Trump doubts persist after another poor performance

• Murphy to maintain title bid

Following Ronnie O'Sullivan's exit at the hands of a superb Mark Williams comeback, this year's Masters is wide-open. The Welshman is now favourite - rightly in my view - ahead of Judd Trump, with the pair trading at 3.6553/20 and 4.131/10 respectively to land the title.

Trump very lucky in first round

It may come as something of a surprise that Trump isn't heading the list now all the other leading lights are out. That certainly was the implication of the betting prior to his first round match. However anyone who watched that incredibly fortunate win over Ryan Day will understand why the market has cooled on his chances.

Of course, this is a new day and often the great players seize upon such moments of fortune, and raise their game for the rest of the tournament. Trump is certainly capable of doing that. Personally, I wasn't convinced about the wellbeing of his game pre-tournament and remain highly sceptical that his A-game will suddenly appear. Especially today, against a man who has become something of a nightmare opponent.

Hawkins holds career advantage over Trump

Again, it may surprise readers to learn that Trump trails Barry Hawkins throughout their career 9-6, having lost their last three matches, including a wonderful semi-final here 12 months ago. Prior to those three losses, Trump had won the previous three, but all in deciding frames. Their career frame tally is a decisive 75-62 to Hawkins.

Given that Barry also played much the better snooker in the first round, I must stick with him. A correct score combo on 6-3 and 6-4 pays around 4-1. Try the latter as the first leg of the daily double.

Daily double (pays £35.63 to a £0.5 stake)

Barry Hawkins to win 6-4

Shaun Murphy to win 6-3

Shaun Murphy and Stuart Bingham contest the last quarter-final, with the former rated slight favourite. This is a tricky match to call, but I agree with that assessment.

Murphy preferred after first round heroics

Both came here in need of a good run after some time in the doledrums and both of these former champions rose to the occasion. Murphy's achievement in beating Neil Robertson must be considered superior to Bingham knocking out Kyren Wilson.

Plus there were clearer signs of improvement in Murphy's game before Christmas. If forced to pick a finalist from the top half of the draw, it would be 'The Magician'. Whereas Stuart has been so badly out of form that I'd worry about him putting it together for two matches on the spin. Take 1.84/5 about Murphy winning the match.

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