Zhou Yuelong is the man in form as he looks to secure top spot in Championship League Group One at Coventry’s Ricoh Arena. The world number 31 won three of his four matches on Tuesday to take the lead in the round-robin format.
China’s Zhou beat last year’s losing finalist Ryan Day 3-1, Mark King 3-2 and Michael Holt 3-1 – ensuring he topped the group despite going down 3-2 to Stephen Maguire in his fourth clash. Zhou began Wednesday by defeating Anthony Hamilton 3-0, sealing a semi-final berth in the opening group stage of the 2018 edition as he did so. The Championship League, entering its 11th edition as a mainstay on the calendar, will be played out between this week and the end of March. The seven group winners will then return to Coventry to do battle in the winners group to find an overall champion. John Higgins is the reigning champion, overcoming Welshman Day in last year’s decider. Day has endured a mixed start to this year’s opening group.
Defeats to Zhou and Maguire on day one sitting alongside 3-1 wins over Hamilton and Kyren Wilson. Day two began with a 3-1 loss against Holt, leaving Day scrapping to be involved in the semi-final shake-up. Zhou is Evs to overcome Wilson is his final round-robin game on Wednesday afternoon, with the English potter 8/11 to win. Scotland’s Maguire is favourite at 8/15, meanwhile, to account for Holt in their clash, with the Hitman 7/5 for the win.
Championship League odds available at Dafabet.