The most interesting games of the third day of the tounament will begin in the evening session. The winners get the pass to Berlin. My first favourite is Zhao Xintong. He made two centuries and three series for 50 points in his previous game. This is better than the level of Top 16, maybe worth Top 8. His rival is another amateur Ashley Hugill who have came into notice by defeating Neil Robertson 5:1. But why is the Chinese the favourite? I agree with the bookmakers because Xintong played really well and Hugill showed nothing special. Neil Robertson was just tired after the brilliant win of the UK Championship. The odds are low – 1.40, so I suggest to make an accumulator with Mark Williams’ win over Li Hang. Hang is not weak, but we can trust in Mark Williams.
My second bet is intuitional. Some top players have lost already, so we can’t be surprised with the loss of any player in the second round. I’ll pick an underdog Craig Steadman which has no faith from the bookmakers. Why do I believe in him in the game against Rod Lawler? He is good at the complex and tight game because of his patience. And his skills are as good as Lawler’s.