Masters Snooker 2016 semis: Trump and Rocket fancied for final
Published:
Lee Gormley and Jamie Clark | January 15, 2016
Masters Snooker 2016
- Masters Snooker, semi-finals
- Saturday, January 16th
- Break-offs: 13:00 GMT and 19:00 GMT
- Alexandra Palace, London
- Live on BBC Two or Eurosport
In-form Trump tackles the Hawk
After an incredible performance to dispatch UK Championship winner Neil Robertson 6-5, in-form Judd Trump takes to the baize again for his Masters 2016 semi-final encounter with defiant potter Barry Hawkins.
Bristol-born Trump edged out his previous Australian rival in a deciding frame, during a sublime showing in which he potted the tournament’s highest break of 140, and he is 2/1 with Coral to rally to a 3-1 first session lead over Hawkins.
Despite the Juddernaut’s massive impact on the baize in recent seasons, the 26-year-old has been held to a close head-to-head record against ‘the Hawk’, with five victories apiece in competitive meetings since 2012.
Although, one of Hawkins’ previous triumphs over Trump came during a Six Red World Championship clash, but he is 13/8 to soar to victory once again, while Robertson’s recent conqueror is 6/1 to successfully come through another final frame shootout to reach the Masters final.
Rocket battles Ball-Run Bingham
Tournament favourite Ronnie O’Sullivan will not be underestimating his final four opponent Stuart Bingham, however, as Ball-Run knocked the Rocket out of the 2015 World Championship en route to Crucible glory when they last met.
Rocket Ronnie remains odds-on 4/11 match favourite, however, because of a brilliant head-to-head record of 11-3 over Bingham, who is not without merit at 9/4 to repeat his Sheffield slaying of O’Sullivan.
While sending Mark Selby out of the Masters was hardly a surprise from the Rocket, Ball-Run beating John Higgins 6-3 in the last quarter-final suggests he will capitalise on any errors.
And yet there is something irresistible about backing O’Sullivan, especially at a nifty 9/2 to run out a 6-3 winner against Bingham.
Related
Read our snooker archive.
Coral’s top tip: Back Judd Trump at 2/1 to take a 3-1 lead over Barry Hawkins going into the mid-session interval of their semi-final encounter.
