How strong are this years qualifiers?
The initial reaction to this year's draw was 'buck, the non-seeds are so strong this year'. Going by rankings, they are. But are they really much stronger than previous years gone by, if at all, or would most of them have been ranked much lower had they been playing ten years ago?
Let's have a look
Ding Junhui: World class, obviously the stand-out qualifier
Liang Wenbo: Good, but would be shocked if he made it any further than the quarter-finals. Will probably go out before the last eight.
Kyren Wilson: Very good player. Could make the one table stage.
Ryan Day: Good, but well behind the top 12 or so in the world.
Robert Milkins: Shouldn't be anywhere near 21st in the world at this stage in his career.
David Gilbert: See Milkins
Graeme Dott: Past his best, but still a tricky opponent for some seeds. Probably unlikely to make quarter-finals.
Michael Holt: Terrible crucible record. Fodder for most seeds.
Alan McManus: Experienced, but ancient
Anthony McGill: Talented, but has seriously disappointed up to this point this season.
Ali Carter: Experienced crucible specialist who can still pack a punch if his recent form can be trusted. Not a good draw for anyone but O'Sullivan.
Peter Ebdon: At least ten years past his best.
Robbie Williams: Journeyman with poor crucible record. Fodder for the top players.
Sam Baird: Good to watch, but highly suspect under pressure. Unlikely to trouble any of the seeds.
Zhang Anda: Talented, but terribly inconsistent.
Mitchell Mann: Has never been beyond the last-32 in a ranking event.
Is the field as strong as we first thought?
Let's have a look
Ding Junhui: World class, obviously the stand-out qualifier
Liang Wenbo: Good, but would be shocked if he made it any further than the quarter-finals. Will probably go out before the last eight.
Kyren Wilson: Very good player. Could make the one table stage.
Ryan Day: Good, but well behind the top 12 or so in the world.
Robert Milkins: Shouldn't be anywhere near 21st in the world at this stage in his career.
David Gilbert: See Milkins
Graeme Dott: Past his best, but still a tricky opponent for some seeds. Probably unlikely to make quarter-finals.
Michael Holt: Terrible crucible record. Fodder for most seeds.
Alan McManus: Experienced, but ancient
Anthony McGill: Talented, but has seriously disappointed up to this point this season.
Ali Carter: Experienced crucible specialist who can still pack a punch if his recent form can be trusted. Not a good draw for anyone but O'Sullivan.
Peter Ebdon: At least ten years past his best.
Robbie Williams: Journeyman with poor crucible record. Fodder for the top players.
Sam Baird: Good to watch, but highly suspect under pressure. Unlikely to trouble any of the seeds.
Zhang Anda: Talented, but terribly inconsistent.
Mitchell Mann: Has never been beyond the last-32 in a ranking event.
Is the field as strong as we first thought?
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