OTW Extra Email Archive - April 2026
Notes from the Tour: Chinese record-breakers...
Thursday 16th April 2026
The springtime schedule continues apace this week…
In the tennis, we’re following one of last year’s featured names from our ‘Czech-list’ Report…
Linda Noskova is in the book for Ones to Watch members at a top-price 25/1 Each Way. The 21-year-old world no.14 won 6-1, 6-1 in the round of last 16 this afternoon, and is through to the WTA Stuttgart quarter finals on Friday (live on Sky Sports).
As well as a hefty prize-cheque, the winner of that indoor clay-court tournament, AKA the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix, also takes home a Porsche. Nice work if you can get it.
Last week in the golf, I discussed the first Major of the year. And we did okay in The Masters, with 25/1 pick Justin Rose once again going close at Augusta. Rose finished Tied 3rd, for an Each Way payout.
I’ve got another April detour for us today…
This spring sporting calendar is full of glorious traditions, and after Augusta last week, the Boat Race before that – and the London Marathon to come next weekend – this time, it’s the turn of the snooker…
The Snooker World Championships start on Saturday, once again hosted at the iconic Crucible theatre in Sheffield…
Snooker tournaments are similar to tennis in that the field of players is split into two, with the drawsheet available to peruse online – allowing you to map out potential routes to the final, and see who plays who (or who avoids who) in their side of the draw…
The 2026 draw was made live on the BBC this morning, and after watching that over a bowl of porridge, I was straight on to Oddschecker to check out the prices, now that the opening-round match schedule is known…
Chinese history-makers…
One thing you need to know about this year’s World Championship is that there are a record number of Chinese players in the event…
With the qualifying rounds now complete, the main-draw proper features 11 Chinese representatives – the most ever at this tournament.
And with just 32 players in total taking part, that means 34% of the field are from China.
In the Winning Nationality market, the bookies make it 5/4 (2.25) for a Chinese winner. As a true-odds percentage chance, that price suggests a 44% likelihood of another champion from China – after Zhao Xintong made history by taking the title in sensational style last year.
That being said, my ‘ones to watch’ angle here is to pinpoint a Chinese player to follow over the next couple of weeks…
Reigning champ Zhao Xintong is the 2/1 overall favourite. (Betfred are going an industry-best 7/1 for Ronnie O’Sullivan; as ever, should Ronnie the Rocket turn up ‘on a good day,’ then that price will end up looking great for the Englishman’s followers).
Ding Junhui has been something of a trailblazer for Chinese snooker on the world stage. Back in 2016, he became the first man from his country to make the final at the World Championship. Age 39 now, Ding is priced out at 80/1 (Skybet, Paddy Power & Betfair Sportsbook) to take the trophy this year.
This being Ones to Watch, we specialise in finding young players available at big prices – with the potential to out-do expectations…
We also like a flair player, too. Someone with a bit of swagger and natural talent in their game. And one young man in particular from the Chinese contingent catches the eye in that respect:
Wu Yize is in the bottom half of the draw.
Former champs lurking at big prices…
Defending champion Zhao Xintong and seven-time winner Ronnie O’Sullivan (to name just two) are in the top half. The former will be looking to break the ‘Crucible curse’ and successfully follow-up on a first-time success. While Ronnie would be aiming to lift the famous trophy for the first time since 2022.
As Neil Robertson was quick to point out during the BBC coverage this morning, as well as the newcomers and Chinese contenders, there are also plenty of other former champions in the field…
For example, looking at the current, 2026 Outright Winner prices:
Three-time winner Mark Williams (33/1) was runner-up last year…
Kyren Wilson (12/1) won here in 2024…
Four-time winner Mark Selby is 8/1…
The 2019 champion (and super-talented left-hander) Judd Trump is 5/1…
Neil Robertson won in 2010 and he’s around 20/1…
Shaun ‘the Magician’ Murphy won as a qualifier back in 2005 and has been runner-up three times since. He’s 20/1 & 18/1…
John Higgins has won it four times, Ronnie always talks him up, and the Scotsman is a 25/1 shot here. The challenge for Higgins is, age 50, he’ll have to rip up the history books – O’Sullivan himself holds the record as the oldest champ in the modern Crucible era (won age 46). That task applies for the likes of Mark Williams, too.
However, Higgins has an intriguing looking draw – and Wizard of Wishaw may yet have another big run in him…
John faces Ali Carter up first in a strong 1st-round match-up. Get through that test, and Higgins could face O’Sullivan. If Ronnie’s on a ‘bad day’ and/ or Higgins is playing his trademark gritty, attritional game, then I could see the Scotsman progressing there, too…
And if the Crucible curse does strike down Zhao Xintong, then Higgins may be able to dig in – and carve out a run all the way to another final….
Enjoy the snooker, enjoy the tennis – and I’ll be back next week with more…
P.S
The big focus in the tennis is the run-up to next month’s French Open at Roland Garros. There’s a big event on the clay next week, with both the men & women in Spain for the Madid Mutua Open, which is a Masters 1000 event…
Best wishes,
Oliver Upstone