JONATHAN ROSS has a point to prove at the Gravells Welsh International Open and should be backed at 11-8 to beat Andy Thomson in the first round on Saturday.
The Irishman, now living in Paisley, was demoted outside the top 16 in order to accomodate Darren Burnett, for reasons unbeknown to anyone outside the WBT, and that has given him added incentive to defeat a player who has appeared in every event since 1996, losing in the final in 2000 and 2004. Ross is also desperate for ranking points to retain his place in the top 16.
He's never really shone on the Tour over the past few years, but a run to the quarter-final of the World Indoor Singles will have boosted his confidence and he played well enough there to suggest he has the beating Scottish-born England international Thomson.
BBC commentator David Corkill makes a rare foray onto the blue rink when he tackles ALEX MARSHALL after making it through the PBA qualifying ranks, but even at 9-2 I can't make a case for the Irishman. Having listened to so many of his commentaries, it will be interesting to see if he can practice what he preaches! Marshall should breeze through this at 1-5.
There's not much value to be had on the opening day and I can't really foresee many upsets with all the seeds looking to have straightforward ties and of those ROBERT WEALE is good value at 1-3 to see off South African as is SIMON SKELTON who is the same price as he kicks the event off against fellow Englishman Neil Smith.
