Shaun Murphy, Barry Hawkins and Mark Allen are among the headline names competing in qualifying for the China Open on Monday. World number six Murphy is the highest-ranked player in action at Barnsley’s Metrodome on Monday and he will fancy his chances of seeing off fellow Englishman David Grace.
Murphy has qualified for the main draw of the China Open in each of the last 12 years, reaching the semi-finals in both 2011 and 2013, while his record against Grace is also impressive, as he has won all three of their previous meetings. The 35-year-old is not the only top-10 player in action on Monday, as world number seven Hawkins will face Irishman Josh Boileau in his qualifying contest.
Hawkins failed to make it through to the China Open last season and his form this term has been patchy at best, as he is yet to make it beyond the third round of a ranking event, while he fell as the first hurdle during The Masters earlier this month. The Kent native should have too much for the inexperienced Boileau, however, as the 22-year-old is yet to break into the top 100 in the world rankings and has failed to make inroads on the tour this season.
Masters champion Allen is the other big name in action on Monday and he should also have no trouble in making it past Allan Taylor in his qualifying match. It is five years since Allen made it through to the main draw in Beijing, but he has won both his previous meetings with Taylor and with his Masters triumph still fresh in the mind, he should be full of confidence.
China Open Qualifiers odds available at Dafabet.