Ronnie O'Sullivan won three of the last four frames against
MARK WILLIAMS to leave their second round clash poised on a knife-edge going into Monday afternoon's final session, but I still still think it's folly to back against the Welshman at what could be a generous price of 13-8 with sportingbet, 888.com and William Hill.
Neither player has looked totally comfortable with their games, although despite at one stage leading 4-1, O'Sullivan can consider himself rather fortunate to have drawn level at 8-8. On not just the evidence at the Crucible these past few days, but on the season as a whole, I think the 'Rocket's' star is on the wane now as he just seems to miss far more pots than he ever did and he doesn't have that aura about him that he once did and odds of 4-9 are basically an insult to his opponent..
It's good to see an excellent player like Williams return to his best this season and on current form, I can still see him edging this match, as I think he will make less mistakes than Ronnie in the final few frames.
Puntinplay's pre-tournament selection DING JUNHUI gave himself a psychological boost in his match with Shaun Murphy by winning the final frame of their first session to move 5-3 up and that can spur him on to victory. It may not sound much, but a two-frame advantage means so much more than beginning a new session on level pegging and I would still wade into the Chinese star at 1-3 to beat the 2005 world champion.
John Higgins' demise at the hands of Steve Davis has given Ding a fantastic opportunity of reaching the final and I'm confident he will continue to haver the upper hand over Murphy who doesn't look the same ebullient player of previous seasons. He also only made one break of over 50 in the first eight frames of this match and he will need to up the tempo if he is to win this one and I'm not sure he is capable of that this year.
The match between Ali Carter and Joe Perry is going to plan, with the 'Captain' 10-6 ahead. A superb second session from the fifth seed saw him win six of the eight frames and he's as short as 1-50 in places now to wrap up the win. I can't see the 2010 version of Perry pulling back that deficit.
How Mark Selby is still 2-7 with Skybet and Betfred to beat STEPHEN HENDRY after their first session amazes me given how close the match has been so far. Hendry can count himself unlucky not to be leading rather than stuck at 4-4 after dominating the early stages of the match and at 5-2 with Skybet and Betfred, is definitely worthy of a second look.
Trailing 4-2 and 75 points down in the seventh frame, Selby looked likely to be trailing Hendry by some distance after the first session, but he managed to get the two snookers he needed as well as clear the table to make it 4-3 then won the last to restore parity. Whoever wins the second session, I think will win the match, but I see no reason why Hendry cannot come out on top.
