The remaining quarter-final spots are up for grabs today at the Wyldecrest Park Homes Welsh Open with crowd favourite Mark Williams among the early starters in Newport.
In-form Welshman Williams (2-5, Betfred, Paddy Power and others) lines up against England's Jamie Cope (2-1, Bet365, Totesport and others) and with the home support behind him the former world champion should advance.
An all-England battle between Ali Carter (8-13, William Hill) and Peter Ebdon (11-8, Boylesports) also gets underway early. Just as really as this meeting could go the distance. Carter 4-3 (9-2, Bodog and others) or Ebdon 4-3 (11-2, Sportingbet and others) is worth a look.
They say every tipster has his Day and yesterday was mine thanks to another home player Ryan. I backed the Welshman to send the unpredictable Ronnie O'Sullivan packing at the Newport Centre and the outsider duly delivered with a 4-2 victory at odds of 2-1!
His reward is a last-16 clash with fellow countryman Matthew Stevens. Day is the favourite for this one (8-11, Skybet, others) with Stevens 5-4 at Boylesports and Totesport,
Northern Ireland's Mark Allen (5-4, Totesport) lines up against Masters champion Ding Junhui. This one could be close but I'll re-invest some of my pay-Day on Ding. (8-11, Stan James).
Stephen Hendry (6-4, Totesport) and Stephen Maguire (8-13, Skybet, Boylesports, Betfred) meet this evening and the younger of the Scots is likely to march on.
But his veteran opponent is a seven-time world champion and gave me some unforgettable nights at the Crucible over the years therefore at a tempting 6-4 he cannot be discounted.
The final last-16 clash is a repeat of the 2010 World Championship final. Aussie Neil Robertson (4-7, Bodog, Boylesports, Sportingbet) got the better of Graeme Dott (6-4, Bet365, Stan James) last May but I reckon the Scot will have the last laugh this time.
Bonkers Bet:
- Graeme Dott (6-4, Bet365, Stan James).
Don't forget to stick mrfixitstips.co.uk in your browser for regular Welsh Open updates.
