Talented Thepchaiya Un-Nooh can cause problems for Barry Hawkins

First round
Eurosport 2, 6.30am Sunday

Barry Hawkins was a first-round casualty in the International Championship last season and the world number six looks a short price on his return to Daqing against in-form Thai Thepchaiya Un-Nooh.

Jack Lisowski downed the Hawk in the opening round last term and Un-Nooh, beaten in a decider by winner Stuart Bingham in last week’s English Open, shouldn’t be taken lightly.

The Thai ace, who made a maximum in Crawley last week, hasn’t played in this tournament since 2015 but he made the semi-final on that occasion and has the qualities to cause an upset.

Hawkins hasn’t gone beyond the second round in four attempts at the International Championship and defeat against Daniel Wells, after a 4-3 win over Sam Craigie, on home soil last week suggests he may be made to work.

Recommendation
T Un-Nooh +2.5 frames
2pts Evs Coral, Ladbrokes

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