Yan Bingtao can wow his home crowd in Shanghai Masters opener

Eurosport 2 from 7.30am Monday

The exciting Yan Bingtao looks a fine bet at 8-11 to set up a mouthwatering clash with world champion Mark Williams in the Shanghai Masters.

Yan has lost all three of his career meetings with his first-round opponent Anthony McGill, but he was just 13 when they first faced each other and has since developed into one of the most promising youngsters in the game.

Now 18, the Chinese potter came within a frame of landing his first ranking title in the Northern Ireland Open last November but was edged out by Williams.

Yan should have too much scoring power for McGill, and has the added boost of playing in front of his home crowd.

Mark Allen blew a 3-0 lead when losing 4-3 to Xiao Guodong in the World Grand Prix in February.

Reigning Masters champion Allen is 8-13 favourite to gain revenge over this longer format but it may be worth chancing the Chinese player to frank the form.

Xiao enjoyed perhaps his most consistent campaign last season, reaching three ranking event quarter-finals, and he reached the last eight of the World Open last month.

The winner wil face a daunting second-round meeting with Ding Junhui.

Recommendations
Yan Bingtao
3pts 8-11 Betfair
Xiao Guodong
1pt 17-11 188Bet

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