Adam Williams presents his prediction for the Scottish Open snooker match.
David Grace
Kyren Wilson and David Grace are set to meet in the first round of the Home Nations tournament for the third time. Kyren triumphed 4-1 in the English Open and 4-3 in the Northern Ireland Open. Now, Grace faces the world champion again, which is a significant setback for him as he fights to secure his place on the tour. David is currently ranked 66th, and at the season's end, only 64 players remain on the tour. Grace is positioned 89th in the seasonal rankings, having claimed just a few victories but suffering critical defeats against Artemijs Zizins at the UK Championship (6-3) and Gong Chenzhi (4-2) at the Saudi Arabian Masters.
Kyren Wilson
Kyren Wilson sits second in the seasonal rankings, behind only Judd Trump. Kyren has already claimed two titles this season—at the Grand Prix in Xi'an and the Northern Ireland Open in Belfast. Had he defeated Judd Trump in the semi-finals of the UK Championship, another Triple Crown could have been added to his achievements, but he lost to Trump (6-2). After winning the World Championship, it is crucial for Kyren to maintain a strong season performance, and he has exceeded expectations during the first half. Wilson has high hopes for this tournament, where he benefits from a very favourable draw. However, short-format matches can be unpredictable, with any player from the top 32 capable of making a significant impact.
Kyren Wilson vs David Grace Prediction
We suggest considering a handicap for David Grace. First, Kyren could indeed lose to Grace; let's not dismiss this possibility. Grace has only failed to secure a frame once this season, in a match against Bulcsú Révész, and he defeated Marco Fu (4-0) in the English Open qualifier. Thus, he has the potential to trouble Wilson. We are convinced that if the players faced each other in a multi-session match, Grace would have minimal chances, but surprises can happen in a best-of-seven match.
