Chris Wakelin could keep it respectable against Magician Murphy

Starts 2.30am Tuesday
Live on Eurosport 7.30am & 12.30pm

Shaun Murphy has done well to step up his game this season and give himself more of a shout of winning a second Betfred World Championship.

He is still in the second echelon behind the top brass, but should they come up short at the Crucible he's definitely one of those who could capitalise.

Before Sheffield, however, there is the small matter of the China Open, the most lucrative tournament ever staged away from Great Britain and Ireland.

While Murphy is likely to defeat his opening foe Chris Wakelin, it could be worth backing the Warwickshire cueman on the total-games handicaps.

Tournament preview

Rugby-based Wakelin is 8-11 in receipt of a start of 3.5 frames, which would mean the Magician would need to claim at least six of the first eight frames contested for the bet to lose.

Murphy could easily dominate most frames, but Wakelin is a decent performer and could make his opponent toil for victory.

Recommendation
C Wakelin +3.5 frames
1pt 8-11 Betway

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