Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the 2024 Welsh Open snooker match.
Mark Selby
Mark Selby played perfectly in the Championship League, advancing to the semi-finals that will be held in March. He beat Kyren Wilson (3-0) and John Higgins (3-0). Selby is in perfect form, showing a strong and tactically correct snooker. An opponent who decides to play tactically against Mark Selby is doomed to lose.
Yuan Sijun
Yuan has played only a few games since the beginning of the year. Yuan, however, can finish his own series, without going deeply into the tactics of his opponent and without letting him play. The Chinese player is an underdog in a game versus such an opponent like Mark Selby. But he may become a dangerous player even against someone from the top ten.
Mark Selby – Yuan Sijun prediction
Mark Selby is unlikely to lose a qualification game in Wales. Yuan Sijun has won at least 2 frames in 3 out of the last 4 head-to-head games. He knows how to play against Mark Selby. This is why it’s not going to be an easy walk for Selby. Another thing is that Yuan is capable of making long series. His skills in this case are better than the ones of those he’s played against in the last five games, including Mark Selby.