Ding Junhui will need to get the better of Tom Ford if he is to continue his defence at the Six Red World Championship. The Chinese currently sits third in Group A and is still clawing his way back from his shock opening defeat to Noppon Saengkham. A convincing 5-3 triumph over compatriot Lyu Haotian has kept him in contention and he will require similar form if he is to outlast the Englishman, with him the 4/9 favourite.
Ford also lost to Saengkham but did the business against Haotian and will be hoping to reproduce the victory he sealed over his opponent during the group stages of the 2012 Champions League. On that occasion, however, Ding came back to whitewash him in the final, while he also comfortably won when these two last met in September 2012. The world number 33, who is priced at 13/8, has enjoyed a decent start to the season, notably reaching the fourth round at the Paul Hunter Classic. His rival, who is currently ranked fourth in the world has kept himself fresh, with the China Championship his only outing.
As defending champion there is sure to be pride at stake for Ding in Bangkok and he will head into the match expecting win. The 30-year-old is certainly the classier player and although Ford is likely to cause him problems, he should well progress to the last 16. In Group A’s other match on Wednesday, the aforementioned duo of Saengkham and Haotian face off. The Thai has been the surprise package of the event to date and should justify his 1/2 favourite tag against the already-eliminated Chinese player, who is 8/5.
Six Red World Championship odds available at Dafabet.