World Championship 2009 - Last 8 Head-to-Head
The draw for the quarter-finals at the Crucible.
Global-snooker.com uses Cuefacts 2008/09 to help predict the outcome of the quarter-final 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
Mark Allen Evs v 4/5 Ryan Day
A tough one to call...
O'Sullivan's conqueror, Allen will be looking to build on his second round performance. The youngest player left in this year's event has looked comfortable in The Crucible since beating Ken Doherty on his debut in 2007.
His progress has been steady since then but has looked good in his opening two matches and will be looking to get into the one-table set up for the first time.
Day had a good start to the season by reaching the final in Glasgow in October, but the wheels came off during the middle part faling to win a match in either the UK, Masters or Welsh Open.
A run to the semi-final in China would have boosted confidence for Wales' number one. Betfred makes Day slight favourite in a match that could go al the way.
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John Higgins Evs v 4/5 Mark Selby
Higgins looked tired after his deciding frame win over Jamie Cope yesterday. Results like that can help or hinder.
The popular Scot could find there is little left in the tank or he could relish the second chance he has been given after grabbing a second chance at the title.
The Jester has looked impressive from the off. Three centuries against Ricky Walden in the opener and a solid win against Graeme Dott indicate that after a mediocre season by his standards he could be peaking at just the right time.
It will surprise some that Fred has Selby the favourite but we agree and expect to see Selby in his second Crucible semi-final in three years.
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Shaun Murphy 8/13 v 5/4 Stephen Hendry
"King Hendry the Eighth" - "Leghendry", the headlines have been written for ten years since Stephen lifted the last of his seven titles.
At the start of the tournament, we would have given him little chance of making it eight, but you know what. He is right in the mix now. He proved last year that only an in-form O'Sullivan was going to stop him. Having repeated his second round win over Ding Junhui and O'Sullivan's surpirse (to some) exit, we now think he has a great chance.
The biggest shock of round two was not Ronnie's defeat, it was Murphy's demolition of Marco Fu. Anyone who beats Hong Kong's number one, 13-3 must be a serious contender. This is a marathon though and he wouldn't be the first player in Crucible history to peak too soon.
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Neil Robertson 6/4 v 8/15 Stephen Maguire
This one will be a cracker!
They played last year in round two when Maguire was on fire and virtually won the match in the opening session. We can't see a repeat of that this time around as the Robertson looks to avenge that defeat.
Robertson ended the hopes of Allister Carter in round tow and looked good in doing so. A tournament win under his belt this season already, can the Aussie repeat his 2006/07 season feat of winning two ranking events in the same season?
Maguire might have something to say about that though. The Scot has quietly come through his opening two matches under the radar. All the talk is about Ronnie, Higgins, Selby and Murphy, which probably suits the world number two fine.
Deciding frame shoot-out? Possibly!
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World Championship Index...
*Prices quoted - betfred.com - 28th April,2009
