George Weyham previews the World Grand Prix (Snooker) and gives his outright tip for the tournament.
https://www.oddschecker.com/snooker
We are getting into the nitty gritty of the season now, six events to go and only just over two months from the holy grail, the World Championship.
This week, the tour heads to Kowloon City in Hong Kong and the World Grand Prix, where the top 32 players of the season on the one-year list battle it out for the £180,000 first prize.
On Sunday, Judd Trump won his first ranking title in 14 months in Berlin, his 31st of a glittering career - his wonderful consistency rewarded. He’s now only behind John Higgins, Stephen Hendry and Ronnie O’Sullivan in the all-time list, who are arguably the three greatest of all time.
There’s no doubt in my mind, he’s becoming one of the greatest match players too. He was so workmanlike in Germany. For once, less flash from the Ace in Pack. The way he contained an incoming flying Shaun Murphy in the final, winning so easily 10-4 (though it slightly flattered Trump) was testament to his all-round game play. Trump can mix it with anyone whether it’s through his astute scoring or his tactical nous. He won nearly all the close frames in the final.
The proof in the pudding will ultimately come in April at the Crucible where he tries to win the Worlds for the first time since 2019 and add a sixth triple crown. That is the only thing that’s lacking from his 20 year career.
Trump attempts to win back-to-back rankers for the first time since the 2023/24 season when he won the English Open then the Wuhan Open - it’s a very difficult thing to do, let alone having to travel over 10 hours by plane beforehand. It’s a mega quick turnaround!
Same rule applies to Murphy who ran out of gas in the final at the Tempodrom, but continues to perform with loads of credit. On his day, he can beat them all, but pushes the boat out a little too much for my liking. That was the case in the final thumping off Trump. His freshness is a negative though at least he’s bang in form.
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My sole outright pick is someone who will be fresh in Hong Kong and that’s Wu Yize.
The 22-year-old had his maiden ranking success at November’s International Championship and it had been coming - he is up to a career high 13 in the world rankings. He couldn’t have had it much tougher in Nanjing defeating Zhang Anda, Trump, Barry Hawkins, Zhao Xintong then Higgins in the final. Barely any of that quartet got near him either!
He’s only been on tour since 2021 yet has made three ranking finals and it was quite fitting he captured his first in his homeland. This will not be Wu’s last, let me tell you!
Eight years previously, Wu won the prestigious World Under 21 Championship in Jinan, a title four previous World champions have won before and for my money, it’s a title that has Wu’s name on in potentially the next five years.
His play has been compared to Steve Davis (ask O’Sullivan on that, can’t see it myself!) and Stephen Hendry but I think his ‘pocket rocket’ style reminds me so much of the late great, Paul Hunter, certainly at the current age.
Wu hasn’t got what I call a prestige technique but it’s damn effective and when he’s on song, he can reel off frame after frame, and never looks like missing. With experience, his bottle has also improved, certainly the case this season. He has a bag full guts.
Wu recently played at the Championship league and won seven of his eight matches culminating in a 3-1 final win over Zhao Xintong to make it through to the winners group. In one match that day, Wu made his first career 147.
Wu debuted at the Masters and produced some typical breathless snooker to dispose of Murphy 6-2, fellow countryman Xiao Guodong 6-0 then lost in the semi-final 6-5 to Kyren Wilson who obviously went on to win it. That is extremely strong form considering the displays from all three in Berlin.
It could be a blessing Wu missed the trip to Germany and I quite like his route to the semi-final here where he’s favourite to do so. There it might be Trump or defending champion Neil Robertson though either won’t be feared.
This is probably the shortest Wu has ever been in the outrights of an event but he has every right to be so. He is not a player anyone on tour fancies playing and I rate him a solid bet at 12/1 to grab his second ranking title of the season.
Outright selection
Wu Yize 12/1 0.50pt ew Ladbrokes/Coral/Hills/Betfred
