10th July 2012
Ding vs McManus Betting: Alan McManus can frustrate the out of form Ding in Australian opener
Ding Junhui has looked a little out of sorts in recent times so he will be aiming to put that right with a good, solid tournament in the Australian Goldfields Open this week. He begins his campaign on Wednesday when he takes on Alan McManus in the opening round with the winner progressing to a last 16 clash with Peter Ebdon. Ding goes into the match as the 3/10 favourite with Paddy Power.
It has been a poor run which Ding is on since he won the Welsh Open earlier in the year. He went out of the World Open which followed that tournament in the first round and although he made the semi final of the China Open a lot of that was down to Mark Selby withdrawing before their second round clash. Since then he’s lost in the first round of both the World Championship and the Wuxi Classic so he could well be short on confidence.
Alan McManus isn’t a regular in the final stages of tournaments these days so when he gets there he will want to make the most of them. He has already played a match this week as he had to come through a wildcard round despite qualifying for the tournament. He won that 5-0 against James Mifsud and should be confident coming into this match.
Ding is a player who is easily frustrated and I think McManus has the style and the temperament to frustrate the life out of Ding. McManus will keep things tight and take what is on offer and look to tie the Chinese star up at all times. Whether that will be enough to win I’m not sure although I wouldn’t be surprised if it was, but I certainly think it will be enough for him to win 3 frames which is what he needs to bring the handicap in so that is my bet here.
Back A.McManus (+2.5 frames) to beat D.Junhui for a 4/10 stake at 1.80 with Betfred
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Author: 'Arry Allsports
