Riga Masters 2019 Preview – July 26th – 29th
The action out in Riga, Latvia signals the start of the new 2019/20 snooker season as this is the first ranking event of the new term. So this has big significance. It does though, make things tricky from a betting perspective to pick out some names to back. It is Australia’s Neil Roberston who is heading back as the reigning champion.
Riga Masters Snooker Winner Odds*
Neil Robertson 7/2
Mark Selby 11/2
Kyren Wilson 7/1
Mark Williams 7/1
Jack Lisowski 12/1
Allister Carter 14/1
Luca Brecel 16/1
Gary Wilson 22/1
Joe Perry 25/1
Graeme Dott 33/1
Xiao Guodong 33/1
50/1 bar
* (betting odds taken from bet365 on July 22nd, 2019 at 10:40 am)
Robertson aims for title defence
The tournament starts with a round of 64 so it is a big field to get through. To get to the first round Robertson will be going up against Robert Milkins in the qualifying round. The Australian does have good form at the tournament as his win twelve months ago was his second success in three attempts. So will he hit the ground running at the start of the season once again? He did have a good season last term and looks as likely as anyone to go and get the title in the bag. The track record is there from him and he goes at 7/2 odds* (betting odds taken from bet365 on July 22nd, 2019 at 10:40 am).
Can Mark Selby find early season form?
Since the Riga Masters became a ranking tournament, Selby has attempted the event just once and that ended in a first-round defeat in 2016. He did, however, win the event in 2014 before it got its ranking status. We didn’t see Selby at his very best last season, picking up just the one ranking title along the way. Maybe he will come back a bit refreshed and sharper this go around, but with the Jester from Leicester not being that handily priced as 11/2 second favourite* (betting odds taken from bet365 on July 22nd, 2019 at 10:40 am), he may be worth a pass.
Lisowski a Riga contender
Jack Lisowski may be worth a look at the tournament at a quote of 12/1 odds* (betting odds taken from bet365 on July 22nd, 2019 at 10:40 am). He was runner up twelve months ago after a fantastic run. Each time that he has entered the Riga Masters he has gone better than in the previous year. So that’s a good indicator that he could be set for another good run at the event. That was one of three big finals that he made last season, along with a runner up at the China Open and in the Champions League. He has a favourable draw ahead of him first up in the tournament as well which could help him settle.
Kyren Wilson set for a bigger season?
Kyren Wilson will be looking at the draw and expecting to progress deep at the event. Wilson started last season well with a run to the quarter-finals at the Riga Masters before going on to win the Paul Hunter Classic in August. The Warrior had a very good 2018/19 season also picking up the title at the Six Red World Championships and the German Masters. There could be better to come from him as well this year, potentially being able to build upon that strong campaign.
The Missing
Situated right at the start of the season, the Riga Masters gets a pass from some of the big names in the sport. There is no Ronnie O’Sullivan in attendance for example. Other notable absentees from the event include Judd Trump and John Higgins.
Predictions
Looking down the field and at the draw, it does look as if it is Neil Robertson who is going to be the one to catch again at the tournament. He clearly starts seasons well given his record of two wins at the event so far in its three seasons as a training event. It is always a little tricky to predict tournaments so early in the season with no indication of form. But Robertson, who had roughly a 75% win rate in seven-frame matches last season, looks a good fit. A run from Kyren Wilson wouldn’t be a huge surprise after such a strong season last term.
