2022 European Masters: Quarter-Final Predictions

The quarter-finals of the 2022 European Masters is upon us. In a surprising twist of events, only one of the world’s top snooker players is left in the competition. The other seven players are a mix of experienced professionals and up and coming young talent.

Take a look at the fixture list for the four matches below. You can also read our predictions for who we think will succeed to the semi-finals.

The Fixtures for the 2022 European Masters

In the tables below, you can find the full list of fixtures for the quarter-finals.

Our Match Predictions

Gain insight into our thoughts and predictions for the quarter-final matches of the 2022 European Masters.

Quarter-Finals Predictions

Ryan Day vs Graeme Dott

Ryan Day and Graeme Dott both defeated their opponents in Round 3 with a final score of 5-2. After losing the first frame to Sunny Akani, Day went into overdrive winning the next four frames. In total, Day achieved five 50+ breaks with his highest run reaching 86.

Dott immediately got the upper hand on Jordan Brown breezing to a 4-0 score. While Brown took the next two frames, Dott sealed his win with his lowest 50+ break of 54 and ultimately won the round with 66 points to Brown’s 52. ‘The Pocket Dynamo’ Dott is slightly more on form this season with a ‘frames won’ percentage of 53.55% compared to ‘Dynamite’ Day’s 50.00%. Despite this statistic, Day has a current world ranking of 23, 24 places lower that Dott’s ranking.

The pair have met on the snooker table a total of thirteen times and their history has been fairly even with Day winning 7 matches. These players overall seem fairly matched, however, we think Dott will be able to edge ahead and progress to the semi-finals.

Our match prediction: Graeme Dott to win.

Fan Zhengyi vs David Gilbert

When Fan Zhengyi and David Gilbert meet, it will certainly be an interesting one to see the importance of experience and talent on their performance. Zhengyi is now the youngest player in the tournament, and at just 21 years old with three years of professional snooker experience under his belt, he knows the challenge he now faces against Gilbert. In his Round 3 match against Yan Bingtao, things didn’t get off to a good start with the first three frames going to Bingtao. Zhengyi managed to take control of the game and cleanly won the next five frames taking him to victory.

‘The Angry Farmer’ Gilbert, has over 20 years of playing professional snooker after turning pro in 2001. For the season, he has a ‘frames won’ percentage of 60.38% which completely towers over Zhengyi. Gilbert has to be our choice for this match, however, it would be nice to see yet another upset in this tournament with a younger player putting their name on the map.

Our match prediction: David Gilbert to win.

Ronnie O’Sullivan vs Tom Ford

The world’s second best snooker player Ronnie O’Sullivan is up against 27th ranked Tom Ford. O’Sullivan defeated Ashley Hugill with relative ease, making two centuries and four breaks over 50, with his highest run totalling 141 which was also the highest break that happened in the week so far.

Ford managed to get three 50+ breaks, with one just shy of a century. He dominated the first half of the match leading by 3-0, however, Fraser Patrick put up a good fight to reclaim three frames. In the eight games that Ford and O’Sullivan have played together, Ford has only won three. We don’t think he will be able to overcome the six-time World Champion O’Sullivan in this match, so we are backing ‘The Rocket’ for this match.

Our match prediction: Ronnie O’Sullivan to win.

Liang Wenbo vs Anthony McGill

Liang Wenbo and Anthony McGill are the final two players to reach the quarter-finals of the 2022 European Masters. Wenbo defeated Yuan Sijun by 5-2, while for McGill and Kurt Maflin their final score was 5-3. Wenbo achieved five 50+ breaks with the highest at 86 and one century break at 124. Despite Sijun taking the second and third frame to tip the score in his favour, Wenbo commandeered the snooker table and won the remaining four to seal his victory.

Despite Maflin’s strong performance of three century breaks, it wasn’t enough to overcome McGill. ‘The Glaswegian Gladiator’ achieved four high scoring 50+ breaks with his highest run just shy of 100 at 91.

Wenbo and McGill have played seven previous matches with ‘The Firecracker’ with the balance in his favour with four wins to McGill’s three. Wenbo has six years more experience of playing professional snooker over McGill, however, is yet to win a ranking title, a feat that McGill has achieved twice. We think the Scot will take the victory and qualify for the semi-finals.

Our match prediction: Anthony McGill to win.