The snooker World Open has reached the Last 16 stage, and Thursday’s schedule features several intriguing matchups. Ronnie O’Sullivan faces Shaun Murphy in one of the most anticipated clashes of the round, while in the evening session Thepchaiya Un-Nooh takes on the experienced Marco Fu. In this article, we’ll go through the Last 16 matchups and provide betting tips for two standout matches.
Last 16 Matchups
Morning Session (08:00)
- Ryan Day vs Artemijs Zizins
- Ronnie O’Sullivan vs Shaun Murphy
- Zhou Yuelong vs Mark Allen
- Wu Yize vs Kyren Wilson
Afternoon Session (13:30)
- Judd Trump vs Robbie Williams
- Zhang Anda vs Hossein Vafaei
- Thepchaiya Un-Nooh vs Marco Fu
- Gary Wilson vs Zhao Xintong
Last 16 Round in Brief
The Last 16 stage features several exciting encounters. In the morning session, Ryan Day is aiming for his first quarterfinal appearance in a couple of years as he faces 19-year-old Latvian Artemijs Zizins, who impressed by defeating Luca Brecel in the previous round.
In the afternoon session, one of the most interesting players to watch is Hossein Vafaei. The Iranian produced one of the biggest upsets of the tournament by coming back from 0–2 down to beat Mark Williams 5–2. Next, he faces China’s Zhang Anda.
Betting Tips for the Last 16 Matches
Ronnie O’Sullivan vs Shaun Murphy
Ronnie O’Sullivan has played solid snooker so far in the World Open, but the level of competition rises significantly in the Last 16. Ross Muir and Matthew Selt are not quite on the same level as Shaun Murphy, who remains one of the top players on the professional tour.
Murphy has been in excellent form this season, already reaching two ranking event finals, which says a lot about his current level. That’s why it’s somewhat surprising that he is considered the underdog in this match according to the odds.
The pair have met once earlier this season, with Murphy clearly coming out on top, winning 4–0.
A close contest is expected. At the mid-session interval, Murphy could well be leading 3–1, or the match could be tied at 2–2. From a betting perspective, Murphy looks like a solid value pick here.
Main bet:
Shaun Murphy to win @ 2.10
Additional bet:
Correct score 5–3 Shaun Murphy @ 6.66
Thepchaiya Un-Nooh vs Marco Fu
Thepchaiya Un-Nooh is known for his highly aggressive and fast-paced playing style. When he’s in form, the Thai player can win frames very quickly.
Marco Fu, on the other hand, is an experienced and tactically strong player. If Fu manages to slow the pace of the game and turn it into a safety-focused battle, the match could shift in his favor.
Although the two haven’t faced each other in years—their last proper meeting dates back to 2019—the available odds make Fu an interesting betting option.
Main bet:
Marco Fu to win @ 2.20
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