• World Championship 2009 - Last 16 Head-to-Head

    The draw for the second round at the Crucible.

    Global-snooker.com uses Cuefacts 2008/09 to help predict the outcome of the second round matches in Sheffield.

    Key: The figures quoted relate to each player's performance during the 2008/09 season

    Fr Pl = Frames Played
    FR % = Frame Percentage
    Pts For Average = Scoring Averages (For)
    Pts Ag Average = Scoring Averages (Against)
    HB = Highest Break
    50+ = The total number of 50+ breaks
    50BR= The number of frames per 50+ break
    100+ = The total number of 100+ breaks
    100BR = The number of frames per 100 break

    Ronnie O'Sullivan 2/11 v 7/2 Mark Allen

    Whenever O'Sullivan enters the arena, he is naturally the bokies favourite.  Allen is no slouch though.  He looked impressive in his opener against Gould. For most of the first session he was outstanding and when Gould put the pressure on at the start of the second, he stood firm and finished off in style. He seemed relaxed around the venue and will undoubtedly relish the challenge.

    Allen is rated as one of the best young players on the circuit, which could go against him against Ronnie.  O'Sullivan looked in good shape against Bingham and could produce his best against the Irishman.

    Name Fr Pl Fr % Pts for Av Pts Ag Av HB 50+ 50BR 100+ 100BR
    Ronnie O'Sullivan 305 59.67 60.25 44.59 145 136 2.24 36 8.47
    Mark Allen 154 53.90 53.76 49.50 129 57 2.70 12 12.83

    Cuefacts Predicts - Ronnie O'Sullivan

    Ryan Day 1/5 v 10/3 Nigel Bond

    Day was not at his best against Lee in his opener, but Sheffield is a marathon and not a sprint.  The bookies suggest that Bond has little chance of causing an upset, and we would have to agree.

    However, not many would of expected Nigel to get past Ebdon in the opener, and if experience counts for anything the oldest guy left in the event could surprise.

     
    Name Frames Played Frame % Points for average Points against average Highest break 50+ 50BR 100+ 100BR
    Ryan Day 178 54.49 54.93 48.93 134 68 2.62 9 19.78
    Nigel Bond 112 41.07 45.32 54.82 119 19 5.89 2 56.00

    Cuefacts Predicts - Ryan Day

    John Higgins v Jamie Cope

    Higgins looks happy, and that can be a dangerous sign.  The 2007 champion will take some stopping again this year and is a popular expert's choice.  Tested early on against Michael Holt, he eventually stepped and eased through with plenty to spare, and will take confidence from that into round two.

    Jamie Cope has failed to deliver...until now?  After reaching two finals in 07/08, plenty thought he was the real deal, but where has he been?  A maximum break is the highlight of this season but with victory against Higgins and maybe one more win, and he could be here by right next year as a member of the top-16.

    Plenty to play for, expect this to be a cracker.

    Name Frames Played Frame % Points for average Points against average Highest break 50+ 50BR 100+ 100BR
    John Higgins 287 55.75 56.25 45.37 140 115 2.50 19 15.11
    Jamie Cope 167 50.30 52.75 48.69 147 43 3.88 6 27.83

    Cuefacts Predicts - John Higgins

    Graeme Dott 9/4 v 1/3 Mark Selby

    Dott has slipped down the rankings and looked pretty ordinary since his China Open win in 2007.  However, 2009 seems to have brought the little fella back to life and he has gradually got back to somewhere near his best.  We wouldn't make him favourite by any means but with a good track record against The Jester, he may have more chance than the bookies give him.

    On first round form, Selby could be the man to beat.  He jumped on every mistake that Walden made and made very few errors.  If he continues like that, he will be tough to beat but has he peaked too early?

    Name Fr Pl Fr % Pts For Av Pts Ag Av HB 50+ 50BR 100+ 100BR
    Graeme Dott 112 51.79 51.98 49.21 120 37 3.03 7 16.00
    Mark Selby 219 59.82 61.06 43.76 139 91 2.41 26 8.42

    Cuefacts Predicts - Mark Selby

    Shaun Murphy 4/5 v Evs Marco Fu

    This is a tough one to call.

    Murphy loves the longer distance matches and has a good track record iside the Home of Snooker, but... so does Fu.

    They met in the final of the UK earlier this season and it took a fluke in the last frame to separate hem.  Fu will no doubt be looking for revenge for that defeat and we wouldn't be surprised if he got it.

    Fu quietly goes about his business, keeping himself to himself around the venue. He practises as hard as anyone in the game and has the heavy scoring game need to beat the likes of Murphy.

    Name Frames Played Frame % Points for average Points against average Highest break 50+ 50BR 100+ 100BR
    Shaun Murphy 173 53.18 54.92 49.52 136 57 3.04 9 19.22
    Marco Fu 185 52.43 54.88 49.83 142 67 2.76 17 10.88

    Cuefacts Predicts - Marco Fu

    Ding Junhui 4/7 v 11/8 Stephen Hendry

    A repeat of the 2008 last 16 match.

    One would think that the young Chinese star should get the better of the 40-year-old, but they would of thought that last year.  Hendry qwon 13-7 and went on to reach the semi-final.

    Hendry is far less prolific in the scoring department nowadays, but that is more because of the high standards he set in the 90s.  Against Williams, he made six breaks over 50 in the last eight frames, which is good enough to beat almost anyone.

    Ding gets the nod from Cuefacts, but if you look closely, there is very little to separate them.

    Name Fr Pl Fr % Pts for Av

    Pts ag Av

    		 HB 50+ 50BR 100+ 100BR
    Ding Junhui 165 49.09 52.20 49.68 147 59 2.80 9 18.33
    Stephen Hendry 177 46.89 49.63 52.55 139 56 3.16 8 22.13

    Cuefacts Predicts - Ding Junhui

    Allister Carter 4/6 v 6/5 Neil Robertson

    Carter is flying high at the moment.  His final and 'max' here lasty year, followed by consistency and a maiden win makes him the bookies favourite.

    Robertson posesses that true 'Aussie' sporting attaitude though and will fancy his chances of bringing Ali back down to earth.

    Neil got progressively better in his match with the 'Nugget' and could be peaking at the right time.

    On first glance, Carter looks a clear winner according to Cuefacts, but like Hendry and DIng it is actually a lot closer than that.  We think htis will be a cracker! 

    Name Frames Played Frame % Points for average Points against average Highest break 50+ 50BR 100+ 100BR
    Allister Carter 222 59.01 55.23 42.84 141 89 2.49 12 18.5
    Neil Robertson 194 54.64 53.62 49.61 129 67 2.90 10 19.4

    Cuefacts Predicts - Allister Carter

    Mark King 4/11 v 1/7 Stephen Maguire

    This would be the biggest upset in sport since Mon Mome won the Grand National.  OK, that was only three weeks ago, but it was a big surprise.

    Anyway, we can't see any way that King can handle the scoring power, safety game and mental attitude of the Scot.

    On first round performances, Stephen is right up there with Selby as the in-form man.  He has peaked here too soon before.  Remember last year, he was untouchable for two rounds and then Joe Perry got the better of him.  We will see if he has more staying power twelve months on.  But, for now, a clear passage through to the last 8 is our prediction.

    Name Frames Played Frame % Points for average Points against average Highest break 50+ 50BR 100+ 100BR
    Mark King 122 44.26 48.36 52.77 115 37 3.30 2 61.00
    Stephen Maguire 212 53.30 54.54 46.47 128 78 2.72 18 11.78

    Cuefacts Predicts - Stephen Maguire

    World Championship Index...

    *Prices quoted - betfred.com - 23rd April,2009