WELSH OPEN champion John Higgins booked his place in the semi-finals on Friday night courtesy of a 5-3 victory over home player Matthew Stevens in Newport.
The Scot tackles Ali Carter next and is priced 8-13 with Totesport. England's Carter, a winner of the title two years ago, defeated Masters champion Ding Junhui 5-2 and is 13-8 with Stan James to see off Higgins.
Scotland's Stephen Maguire shocked tournament favourite Mark Williams of Wales 5-3 to set up a semi-final showdown with Mark Selby.
The Jester from Leicester defeated another Scot, former world champion Graeme Dott, 5-3 to make the last four.
Maguire is rated the outsider for this one (11-8, Totesport, Boylesports) with Selby marked at 4-6 with Skybet, Paddy Power and Stan James.
Higgins has regained his favourite tag following Williams' exit and is 7-4 with Totesport.
He's still my tip to land the title for the second year in a row but his odds are now well shy of the 5-1 that was available earlier in the week.
Selby is next at 9-4 (Bet365, Blue Square, Paddy Power, 888sport), with Carter (9-2, Stan James) and Maguire also 9-2 but with Totesport, William Hill, Victor Chandler, Boylesports and Betfred.
Skybet are offering odds on the finalists and they are as follows: Higgins v Selby (6-4), Higgins v Maguire (9-4), Selby v Carter (10-3), Carter v Maguire (9-2).
Bonkers Bet:
- Final to be Higgins v Maguire (9-4, SkyBet)
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