Defending champion Marco Fu has made a blistering start at the Scottish Open on Monday courtesy of a 4-0 victory over Duane Jones in Glasgow. Fu, who is priced at 40/1 to win the Dafabet Masters 2018, has struggled for consistency at ranking events in 2017, having failed to make it any further than a last-16 place, however, he is hoping a return to the Scottish Open will improve his fortunes.
The world number seven shot a break of 101 to wrap up his triumph over Jones ensuring his title defence got off to a positive start. His reward is a round two meeting with China’s Fang Xiongman on Wednesday with another comfortable win on the cards. World number two Judd Trump will also be in action on Wednesday against fellow Englishman Sam Craigie in the early sessions. Trump is priced at 6/1 to win the Dafabet Masters 2018 and he sent out a message in his first round trip to the table, beating Robin Hull 4-0, while Craigie had to work a little harder to see off Boonyarit Kaettikun 4-2.
Home-based players John Higgins, Chris Totten and Scott Donaldson all looked impressive in their opening round engagements. Higgins, who lost in last year’s final to Fu, eased past James Lisowski 4-1, while Totten matched that score to pick up a shock win against world number 58 Sam Baird. Donaldson spent a little longer at the table but he ensured the Scots would have a strong representation in the second round by picking up a 4-2 win over Ireland’s Josh Boileau. Higgins and Totten look to have winnable ties in the second round against Christopher Keogan and Mitchell Mann respectively, however, Donaldson faces Welsh world number 26 Michael White.
Dafabet Scottish Open odds available at Dafabet.