Welsh Open update: Higgins out

We look at how the betting is shaping up

With the Welsh Open firmly underway, getting started earlier this week, we have not been short of drama in the early stages. Let’s look at the major talking points so far, and how the results are affecting the outright betting…..

Higgins defeat the early shock

Shock of the competition so far was the elimination of four-time Welsh Open winner John Higgins, who fell to Sam Baird courtesy of a 4-2 result in Monday’s first round match. Many had Higgins set aside as a player to keep close this year, but he offered little and will be disappointed to see his challenge end so soon.

Sam Baird isn’t likely to do anything with that win however, and Coral offer a massive 399/1 on him continuing his run of upsets all the way to the title.

Rocket making steady progress

Mark Selby was supported by the market before the start and he can still be found at the head of the pile, trading as 7/2 jolly. Sure to push him hard in this year’s renewal is Masters champion Ronnie O’Sullivan, and the fans’ favourite got up and running with a one-sided win over Tom Ford, strolling to a 4-1 success on Tuesday.

That win over Ford would have helped settle Rocket into a competition he knows all too well, but it was to be expected and has done little to change his outright price at the minute. Punters after a Ronnie title-charge still have plenty of reason to jump on, with Coral trading at 4/1.