Milton Keynes is again the home to snooker’s elite this week, with the English Open already the third event of the new season and the third event in three weeks to be held at the Marshall Arena.
£70,000 and the Steve Davis Trophy is up for grabs as 128 players take to the green baize in the first Home Nations Series tournament of the 2020/21 snooker season.
Playing conditions and constraints on players will remain exactly the same as last month’s European Masters, won by defending English Open champion Mark Selby.
Murphy Back Conjuring up Magic on the Baize
Shaun ‘The Magician’ Murphy has achieved everything as a professional snooker player, he has won all of the sport’s big tournaments – including the 2005 world championship – and has operated at the top of the sport for some time now.
He moved to Ireland in 2018 and has since been a little more selective in his participation, picking up two titles in the last 24 months – the China Championship in 2019 and the Welsh Open back in February.
It was a very quiet finish to last season for Murphy, ending with a 10-4 defeat to Noppon Saengkham in the first round of the World Championship, but the 2015 Masters champion has returned to action in this campaign in fine style.
Only eventual European Masters champion Mark Selby has beaten him in his nine matches so far, a run which saw Murphy reach the semi-final of that event and win his Championship League group with an unblemished record – dropping only one frame in three matches.
At 12/1, Murphy’s return to form and his decent draw make him an appealing wager this week.
Will He or Won’t He?
Ronnie O’Sullivan withdrew from his Championship League group last week, claiming that he was uncomfortable with the constraints in place off the table.
The Rocket said: “I like my own company but it is tough being cooped up. It is not easy for me, I must admit. It is just about having the freedom to go out for a walk, get a bit of fresh air and a coffee.”
The circumstances and situations are identical this week, same venue and same protocols.
Punters eyeing up O’Sullivan at 16/5 are urged to tread with extreme caution.
No Vote for Trump
Joining O’Sullivan at the head of the betting at 16/5 is current world number one Judd Trump.
Whenever Trump lines up, he rates the man to beat, but he is swerved here representing poor value.
This short format will no doubt produce some surprise results, the first four rounds in this event are best-of-seven frames.
The draw could have been kinder to the 2019 world champion also, he faces last season’s Rookie of The Year Louis Heathcote – who looks set for a bright future.
The Hawk Is Ready to Swoop
Barry Hawkins described the lockdown as coming at “the perfect time” for him after he was “getting a little bit sick of snooker”.
The three-time ranking event winner has now adopted a more healthier lifestyle and there have been signs of a return to form.
He had suffered with form and consistency over the last couple of seasons, but he is a player for punters to keep on their radar in the coming weeks and is worth a small each-way play here at 40/1.
*All odds correct at time of writing