Written by Rachael Rodgers
As the world championship snooker, is mere weeks away from the crucible and as the draw, is announced there is excitement among the fans. Especially as the current World Champion Neil Robertson, returns to defend his title facing hot new comer Judd Trump who is snooker's wonder child. Judd is at the moment with bookmakers at 7/4 that could be looked at either way does he stand a chance of beating the Australian or does he face being the looser against the world champion? Its a tough choice to make, Neil has played in most tournaments since winning the World Championships last year, but has only managed to win the 12bet.com world open in Glasgow, his winning streak came to an end as he attempted to win the UK Championship at the Telford Centre, in an attempt to win three BBC televised matches in one season, the title went to John Higgins. Neil could win the title again but he faces the curse of the crucible, which has never allowed the same player to win twice in a row. Taking this into account Neil is 2/5 with the bookies for the first match.
Seeded players have to be the favourites and not surprisingly John Higgins is the over all favourite for the competition, at a price of 5/1 with Mark Selby and Ronnie O'Sullivan in joint second place at 13/2.
Mark looks a favourite and as had a slow build up in his career. He is a strong player and a talented cues man he stands a great chance of taking the title, if he can keep his mind on the table and not get distracted.
Ronnie O’Sullivan has had a strange year in snooker and has dropped down the rankings as a result. With the break down of his marriage and his father being released from prison, seems to have taken its turn on his thought process. Ronnie's performance in China was poor and let lower seeded player Ryan Day through, Ronnie played well but not well enough to beat the Welshman. You can't however rule Ronnie out of anything, if he turns up with the determination to play and win, then he will. If not 200/1 shot Dominic Dale will be through to next round.
For a long shot and a little of a dark horse has to be Pinner Potter Martin Gould, bookies have him at 80/1 to lift the trophy, which with the past year he has had, seems to be a large price for him and leaves him down on the suspected favourites lists. Martin however last year beat Marco Fu in the opening round at which point Martin was number 54 in the rankings, he went on to face Neil Robertson and almost beat the Aussie at the end of the first session he was 11-5, Neil came back to beat Martin 13-12. Martin didn't let the defeat effect him in a negative way and has gone on, to play throughout the summer in the PTC events, finding himself in more semi final matches than any other player.
He has also qualified for most major tournaments through the season. His most notable match has to be the PTC grand final, in Dublin. He played and won against Mark Selby, Judd Trump and Michael Holt, to face Shaun Murphy who beat him 4-0. His Time in China started well but came a sudden end in a final frame decider, there is no word on what happened, but in those situations it’s a lottery and has nothing to do with skill or talent, but it has to hold him in good stead to do very well in the 17 day tournament.
John Higgins as you expect is the up most favourite of winning the event, though a favourite doesn't always win and he is beatable. His first round match in China was a close run game which could have gone either way, John just happened to push a head. There is more talent out there but most of the time at the crucible its experience that counts not talent, Higgins has oodles of experience.
Speaking of experience, Shaun Murphy has to be a considerable contender for the trophy again, and his form has been undeniable, his win in Dublin was a joy to witness and his skill in China shows he is back to form.
Ding Junhui also has to be in line as a possible to lift the trophy, especially after his confident Master’s win and his ability in China coming back from 4-1 down to win 5-4 to the appreciation of a very loud Chinese audience who had all come to see their local hero. Ding stands a good chance, maybe a little on the skirts at the moment, but of his time in China progresses then it would make him close to John Higgins, in the favourite list.
Who will win the World Championships, at the moment they all have a much chance as each other. Maybe a seeded player will win; maybe it will be a favourite. The crucible is the theatre of dreams, but whose dreams it will make is all down to fate.
