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Qualifiers for the Shanghai Masters sees a true battle of the generations. Veteran Nigel Bond, 49 years old, currently 94 in the world rankings takes on young Belgian Luca Brecel, 20 years old, currently 44 in the world.
Nigel Bong was never a incredibly talented player but he was always a challenge. He is a smart player, pretty slow at the table. He does not excel in long distance shots but he is a very good safety player and has goo strategic thinking. He will not take risks if it is not crucial, he will prefer to wait for the best opportunity. He is a decent to good break builder but winning a frame from a single visit at the table happens pretty rarely.
Luca Brecel is a very talented young player who, so far, has not really realized his potential. He is capable of playing great snooker and he has proved it, even against the greats but he is also capable of losing 5-0 to a newcomer on the world tour. He has a much more aggressive style than his opponent, he takes more risks. His long distance shots are better than Bond's on average, but his safety game still needs some work. In the first round qualifier, Bond beat Wakelin with a good performance and even a century break
Brecel will be the one forcing things and if his long pot is good today than this should be no problem. But even if it isn't, I still believe Bond will give him chances and the Belgian has the skill to take advantage. In the only encounter between the two, Brecel won 5-3 in Australia in 2014. This game is the same format, best of nine, and I expect a rather similar result. Brecel has reached an age when he must confirm that he has not only the talent but the discipline to play this game at a high level.
Pick: Luca Brecel -1.5 frames
Odds: 1.8
Bookmaker: ➾ Bet365
Stake: 5 units
Tipster: Ares
| TIPSTER: Ares | Total profit: +12.81 | Tips won: 21 |
| Country: Romania | Total yield: +4.78% | Tips lost: 22 |
| Speciality: Snooker | Total picks: 44 | Tips pushed: 1 |
| 12.08 | • ASA Targu Mures - ACS Poli Timisoara | 1.87 | 8 | ❌ | -8 |
| 12.08 | • Dominika Cibulkova - Alize Cornet | 1.57 | 9 | ❌ | -9 |
| 09.08 | • Fergal O'Brien - Luca Brecel | 2.2 | 4 | ❌ | -4 |
| 09.08 | • Steaua Bucuresti - Dinamo Bucuresti | 4.45 | 2 | ❌ | -2 |
| 08.08 | • CSU Craiova - Concordia Chaijna | 2.32 | 4 | ✅ | +5.28 |
| 07.08 | • Luca Brecel - Nigel Bond | 1.8 | 5 | ✅ | +4 |
| 06.08 | • Astra Giurgiu - West Ham United | 1.73 | 10 | ✅ | +7.3 |
| 09.07 | • Garbine Muguruza - Agnieszka Radwanska | 2 | 7 | ❌ | -7 |
| 07.07 | • Bryan B./Bryan M. - Bopanna R./Mergea | 4 | 5 | ✅ | +15 |
| 01.07 | • Fernando Verdasco - Dominic Thiem | 2.73 | 6 | ❌ | -6 |
