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2016 Masters Day Two

1/12/2016

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While the snooker world probably thinks the tournament only starts today with the return of the Rocket, Day 2 actually provided two very entertaining matches.

Judd Trump fought off a spirited fight back from Stephen Maguire to reach his first Masters Quarter final for three seasons. This tournament feels like one that Trump should thrive in, these pressures in the past seem to have played on his own mind and he’s underachieved. He will be favourite to face Neil Robertson next, but he’ll need to sharpen his game up a bit if he’s to beat the inform Aussie.

 It seems to the be the same story in recent seasons, but Maguire will needs a strong finish to the season to guarantee his place at World Championships –without having to qualify. Once a constant in the top five of the rankings, he’s struggled for consistency in recent years. Although it wouldn’t surprise me if he won one of the remaining ranking events, when it comes together he is still one of the most fearsome opponents on the tour.

In the evening Barry Hawkins secured his first ever win at the Masters. It took a similarly long time for him to register a win at the Crucible and, coincidentally, like on this occasion his next opponent was also Mark Allen.
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As I predicted on Twitter I just thought Hawkins would edge this match through his bigger match experience. His recent successes in the World Championship and specifically on the BBC count for a lot. The standard was good but not great; pot successes were around 88/89% for both players – with the standard for winning tournaments usually at least 90% and above.
 
Today will see the return of the Rocket and I fancy him and Selby to win their matches reasonably comfortably. On William Hill you get enhanced odds of 11/10 for both Selby and O’Sullivan to win.

I would also take a punt on O’Sullivan 6-2 @ 9/2 and 6-3 at 4/1. 
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