We'll find out today what all the fuss is about as Stewart Anderson strides onto the rink to face Alex Marshall in the third round of the World Indoor Singles at Potters, while world champions Billy Jackson's conqueror aims to slay another seed.
Alex Marshall v Stewart Anderson
Scottish 24-year-old Anderson has slipped to third in the betting, at 11-2, after David Gourlay and Paul Foster won through to the quarter-final yesterday and he faces an enormous task if he is to join his fellow Scots in the last eight.
Marshall has won this title more times than anyone else – five – and he remains a frontrunner for his sixth crown despite his poor form in recent events. Amazingly for a five-time world champion, 'Tattie' has never won another ranking tournament, but has proved head and shoulders above his rivals on the Norfolk coast and I believe he can bring his vast experience to bear to see off the hotshot who I think will play second fiddle today.
Both men are a best price of 10-11 to win what should be a tremendous contest, but Marshall has re-discovered his form this past week, eclipsing qualifier Tim Stone in a performance that hummed with class, while he was brilliant in the Mixed Pairs as he and Carol Ashby claimed the title on Sunday, defeating regular winners Gourlay and Ceri-Ann Davies.
Anderson has had two easy wins, one over 15th seed Mark McMahon, a semi-finalist last year, and has done little wrong, but when the heat is on today don't be surprised to see him wilt under the pressure.
Verdict: Marshall has the class to see off the young pretender.
Jonathan Ross v Hirendra Bhartu
Northern Irishman Ross is hanging on to his top 16 place by his fingertips, but he has a chance of finally going a long way in this tournament following the exits of several top stars in his quarter of the draw and at 8-15 with Ladbrokes he could prove to be a decent punt against the Canadian Bhartu who has never reached this stage of the event before.
After beating defending world champion Billy Jackson, Bhartu's tail will be firmly up and he'll be feeling confident of overcoming a player who has struggled to justify his top 16 status over the years and he is a best price of 15-8 (various).
But after raising his game to see off an out-of-sorts Jackson, Bhartu may struggle to reach those heights again and the Ulsterman who is based in Paisley may actually be great value on the handicap market with Betfred, who mark him up at 5-4 at -1.5, as I think he may win this 2-0.
Verdict: This could go either way, but if Ross is non song he will win.
