Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the 2024 World Snooker Championship match.
Shaun Murphy
Shaun Murphy has participated in this tournament on many occasions. This arena still remembers him raising the trophy over his head. I doubt that Murphy is nervous or anxious. Shaun has already announced that he’s going to fight for the trophy. Murphy hasn’t been stable in the course of the season. However, Shaun has already reached the final of the World Championship on four occasions, winning the trophy once.
Lyu Haotian
The Chinese player isn’t a newbie at this tournament. He’s not going to be afraid in the first game. However, he has hardly managed to pass through the qualifying tournament, playing against those who have quite a low rating. I can hardly imagine what he can show in the main draw, playing against the real professionals from the top 16.
Shaun Murphy – Lyu Haotian prediction
They have had only three head-to-head matches. Lyu Haotian won the first game in 2018, but then Shaun Murphy won two consecutive matches (6:1 and 5:0). I believe that Shaun remembers how he was beaten by another Chinese player Si Jiahui last year at this very stage. Murphy is supposed to be focused to fix that mistake.
