Masters snooker: Robertson to take first frame against O’Sullivan

Ronnie O’Sullivan continues his bid to retain his Masters title with a semi-final against 2012 winner Neil Robertson this weekend.

The Rocket has lost just five of his 16 meetings with the Australian potter and as such goes into the match as the clear favourite at 1/2.

The man known as The Thunder from Down Under can be backed at 13/8 to cause an upset but with the favourite offering such a short price we’ve uncovered three better value bets to consider.

Robertson to win the first frame @ 11/10

Ronnie is unstoppable when in the mood and only a fool would back him to lose. However, the Essex man has struggled to exert an early authority in recent meetings with Robertson with the Aussie enjoying a 1-0 lead in each of their last three clashes.

Mini Session Score – Frames 1-4 – 2-2 @ 6/4

While Robertson has taken the early lead in the last three meetings, each of those occasions have seen the Rocket fire straight back to level proceedings.

The following two frames have also been shared in each of those matches, making the 2-2 score at the first break a solid pick at the prices.

147 to be scored in the match @ 14/1

With two maximums to his name so far Robertson has what it takes to clear the table but the faith in this bet comes from Ronnie’s incredible record of 13 career 147s to date.

We’ve already seen Marco Fu clear the table at Alexandra Palace and John Higgins potted 15 reds and 15 blacks against Mark Allen only to miss the yellow.

With The Rocket overtaking Stephen Hendry as the sport’s highest-ever century maker earlier this week who would bet against him making another maximum here?

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.

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