Champion of Champions snooker semi-finals: Robertson faces Perry

Lee Gormley and Jamie Clark | November 13, 2015

Joe Perry v Neil Robertson

• Champion of Champions
• Saturday, November 14th
• Scheduled for: 14:00 GMT
• Ricoh Arena, Coventry
• Live on ITV4

Perry and Robertson clash in semi-final

Australian potter Neil Robertson will take on close friend and practise partner Joe Perry in the Champion of Champions semi-final, after overcoming China’s teenage sensation Yan Bingtao 6-3 in their recent Coventry clash.

The 2010 Crucible king first dispatched home favourite Rory McLeod with a ruthless 4-0 whitewash, before edging out 15-year-old Bingtao in his quarter-final meeting, setting up a 20th career encounter with Gentleman Joe, who beat John Higgins to reach this stage.

Robertson is the overwhelming odds-on 4/9 front-runner with Coral to topple Perry, but his veteran opponent holds a close record in past match-ups, overcoming the Australian cueist on eight occasions and is 7/4 for another victory this time out.

Friendship aside in Coventry

It’s the Thunder from Down Under who holds the narrowly superior record, having prevailed in 10 meetings against Perry and, having overcome contrasting obstacles so far in McLeod and Bingtao, he is 6/1 to earn a deciding frame triumph.

The last time these two met it took a final frame shoot-out to decide the fate of the 2014 Wuxi Classic trophy, but Robertson took that crown home after a closely contested encounter in China.

Perry overcome his Aussie practise partner in their last semi-final meeting in a Champions League clash last year, albeit in a less prestigious event, but the 2015 Player’s Championship Grand Final victor has proved he is capable of doing the business.

Long-standing rivalry

Former Triple Crown winner Robertson won the potting pair’s last best-of-11 clash with an emphatic 6-1 triumph in the 2013 UK Championship last 16, and he is 8/1 to emulate that rampant result, while Perry is 17/2 to triumph 6-4.

Just over a decade on from their maiden match-up, in which Perry emerged victorious, both talented cueists will seek another step towards further silverware success this year in the Champion of Champions, beginning with this semi-final liaison in Coventry.

Mark Allen v Kyren Wilson

• Champion of Champions
• Saturday, November 14th
• Scheduled for: 19:00 GMT
• Ricoh Arena, Coventry
• Live on ITV4

Third meeting of season between these two

Belfast potter Mark Allen and English opponent Kyren Wilson have one win apiece from two recent encounters out in China.

Kettering-born Wilson bettered the Pistol 6-1 en route to the Shanghai Masters title, while Country Antrim native Allen avenged that with a 6-3 victory at the International Championship.

Established top 16 player Allen is the odds-on 4/9 favourite to advance to the Champion of Champions final, while Wilson is a 7/4 semi outsider.

Kyren confidence not enough for Allen acumen

Two recent victories over snooker’s golden boy Judd Trump, including a first round fixture here, will have given Wilson plenty of confidence, yet Allen has knocked off seasoned pros Barry Hawkins and Stephen Maguire to make it this far.

A deciding frame doesn’t look likely at 16/5 with previous wins both in past head-to-head ad during the players’ respective progressions to the Champion of Champions final four have been fairly straightforward.

If the correct scoreline market appeals, then Allen is excellent value at 24/5 to repeat his recent 6-3 result against Wilson at the Ricoh.

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Coral’s top tip: Robertson and Allen should advance to a thrilling Champion of Champions final.