Crucible shocks; Robertson flutter

Well my first round predictions were a little hit and miss. 

But while I may not have won any money, I was happy with accurately predicting nine of the 16 match winners (yes, that's at least more than half !), and two correct score lines.

There are always surprises at the Crucible, but none more so than this year. What odds would you have got backing Wasley over Ding, as well as old guards Doherty and McManus smashing big timers Bingham and Higgins?

Hopefully there will be a few more on the way. Having said that, from the start I have tipped an O'Sullivan v Robertson final. And somewhat controversially, I fancy the Aussie to lift his second World title.
I'm so confident I've even put money on it.

On paper, he's got quite a tough route to the final, facing Mark Allen and possibly Judd Trump and Mark Selby should he get through his matches.

In contrast O'Sullivan has a seemingly easy passage now Higgins is gone with Shaun Murphy and Barry Hawkins the only real threat in his half of the draw.

But, he's got to get past Joe Perry yet, and given what has happened in the first week of the championships, it shouldn't be a foregone conclusion.

My first round predictions vs results...

Ronnie O'Sullivan v Robin Hull 

Prediction: O'Sullivan, 10-3

Result: O'Sullivan, 10-4

Joe Perry v Jamie Burnett

Prediction: Perry, 10-8

Result: Perry, 10-7

Shaun Murphy v Jamie Cope

Prediction: Murphy, 10-6
Result: Murphy 10-9

Marco Fu v Martin Gould

Prediction: Fu, 10-7

Result: Fu, 10-7

Barry Hawkins v Dave Gilbert
Prediction: Hawkins, 10-5
Result; Hawkins, 10-4

Ricky Walden v Kyren Wilson

Prediction: Wilson, 10-8
Result: Walden, 10-7

Mark Davis v Dominic Dale

Prediction: Davis, 10-9

Result: Dale, 10-5

Ding Junhui v Michael Wasley

Prediction: Ding, 10-3

Result: Wasley, 10-9

Mark Selby v Michael White

Prediction: Selby, 10-6
Result: Selby, 10-9

Ali Carter v Xiao Guodong

Prediction: Carter, 10-4
Result: Carter, 10-8

John Higgins v Alan McManus

Prediction: Higgins, 10-5

Result: McManus, 10-7

Stuart Bingham v Ken Doherty

Prediction: Bingham, 10-3

Result: Doherty, 10-5

Judd Trump v Tom Ford

Prediction: Ford, 10-8
Result: Trump, 10-8

Stephen Maguire v Ryan Day

Prediction: Maguire, 10-4
Result: Day, 10-9

Mark Allen v Michael Holt
Prediction: Allen, 10-5
Result: Allen, 10-4

Neil Robertson v Robbie Williams
Prediction: Robertson, 10-2

Result: Robertson, 10-2

Crucible 2014: first round preview

Yes, it's that time again. It's the eve of the World Championships and there are some fantastic first round games to look forward to at the Crucible over the next few days.
So, here are my predictions....

Ronnie O'Sullivan v Robin Hull

The reigning champ is obviously a huge favourite. While Finland's Hull is no mug and has been around the circuit for many years, I can't see past O'Sullivan handing out a real thrashing.

Prediction: O'Sullivan, 10-3

Joe Perry v Jamie Burnett

It maybe a bit unfair, but you wouldn't expect many people clamouring for the remote control to watch this match.

But it is a tough one to call and could prove to be a real tight game, going to the wire.

Prediction: Perry, 10-8

Shaun Murphy v Jamie Cope

Murphy has had a stop-start season, although has come good of late, recently winning a PCT competition in Poland this year.

Cope has frequently failed to deliver the promise he showed years ago and has quietly dropped down the rankings. But he has hit form at the right time, winning three matches to qualify for the Worlds.

However, I think Murphy will be too strong.

Prediction: Murphy, 10-6

Marco Fu v Martin Gould

These two have played each other twice before in the first round at the Crucible in recent years, with
Gould winning both matches, 10-9 and 10-8.

But this season Fu has been a revelation, progressing far in many tournaments so I confidently predict a victory by the man from Hong Kong.
Prediction: Fu, 10-7

Barry Hawkins v Dave Gilbert

What a couple of seasons Hawkins has had, rising to number four in the rankings. Gilbert is no pushover and performed well the last time he was at the Crucible.

But Hawkins will be too strong.

Prediction: Hawkins, 10-5

Ricky Walden v Kyren Wilson

On paper, Walden should walk this. But he can be a funny player, knocking in century breaks one minute but missing a simple shot the next. I fancy an upset as Wilson will be flying high after his four wins to qualify, including past champion Graeme Dott. 

Prediction: Wilson, 10-8

Mark Davis v Dominic Dale

Again, a tough match to call between two seasoned pros.

Prediction: Davis, 10-9

Ding Junhui v Michael Wasley

Ding has been in record-breaking form this season, picking up five world ranking competitions matching Stephen Hendry's past feat. Given this, he has to be a strong favourite against a Crucible debutant.

Prediction: Ding, 10-3

Mark Selby v Michael White
White is a cracking young player, but can he overturn Selby? The Jester from Leicester is strong in the first round in Sheffield (though let's himself down as the tournament progresses).

Prediction: Selby, 10-6

Ali Carter v Xiao Guodong

Carter always performs strongly at the Crucible. I suspect a walk in the park for him against debutant Guodong.
Prediction: Carter, 10-4

John Higgins v Alan McManus

This clash of the old Scottish guard will be a cracker. McManus is enjoying a rejuvenation, while
Higgins is not the player he was. But Higgins will have more to offer and I believe he will comfortably win this match.
Prediction: Higgins, 10-5

Stuart Bingham v Ken Doherty

Former World Champ Doherty is still hanging in there, during the twilight of his career. But Bingham will prove too strong.
Prediction: Bingham, 10-3

Judd Trump v Tom Ford

What a great tie this will be. Ford is an under-rated player who played extremely well to overcome Matthew Stevens in the qualifiers. Trump has also struggled this season. Given this, I suspect a potential shock on the cards.
Prediction: Ford, 10-8

Stephen Maguire v Ryan Day

Maguire will prove too good for Welshman Day, who has been in and out of form in recent years.
Prediction: Maguire, 10-4

Mark Allen v Michael Holt
Allen was once tipped as a future World Champion but sometimes gets more involved in rows with the governing body than concentrating on winning matches.
Prediction: Allen, 10-5

Neil Robertson v Robbie Williams
I suspect the Aussie will easily win this match against another Crucible debutant.
Prediction: Robertson, 10-2