The China Open returns for the first time in seven years and the field is stacked with home talent hoping to emulate Ding Junhui by winning this ranking event.
Neil Robertson won the most recent China Open in 2019, when five Chinese players featured in the last-32.
That number could rise to as many as 14 this time around, including world champions Wu Yize and Zhao Xintong.
Mark Williams holds the joint-record with three China Open wins, alongside Mark Selby, though the Welshman hasn't triumphed since 2010.
The left-hander tackles Zhou Yuelong in his first assignment and it could be an upset.
Mark Williams v Zhou Yuelong Tips Summary
Best Bet - Zhou Yuelong to win @ 13/10
Alternative Bet - Total frames over 9.0 @ 1/1
Mark Williams v Zhou Yuelong Prediction
Best Bet - Zhou Yuelong to win @ 13/10
Zhou Yuelong is perhaps the classiest Chinese player still waiting to win a ranking event. The Jumping Dragon has featured in four, including the English Open last season where he lost 9-8 against Mark Allen, easily his best effort in a major tournament decider.
It feels a case of when and not if the 28-year-old will get one on his CV as his impressive form last season also included reaching the semis at the Northern Ireland Open and in the Grand Prix.
At the season-opening Shanghai Masters he defeated Mark Selby 6-5 in his opener, coming from behind at 5-4 with breaks of 83 and 107 to take his win.
In the deciding frame, Selby played a containing safety to the black cushion but Zhou took it on and potted a long red to a baulk corner before compiling a match-winning century break.
He faced Shaun Murphy next and surrendered a 4-2 lead en route to losing 6-5 but it represented a decent start to the season and he looked in good touch.
Williams leads the head-to-head 7-3 but Zhou did get one over on the veteran at the English Open last season.
The Welshman was also in decent shape in Shanghai, when beaten 6-5 by Kyren Wilson in the last eight despite making two centuries.
This should be close and Zhou, with a home crowd backing him, makes more appeal at the prices.
Alternative Bet - Total frames over 9.0 @ 1/1
All four matches involving these two players in Shanghai last week ended in 6-5 scorelines. Zhou took out Selby, before losing to Murphy, while Williams outstayed Chris Wakelin before eventual runner-up Wilson took his measure.
This opening game in Taiyuan may also run deep and a deciding frame could be required again. Two of their previous seven meetings in major ranking events have gone the distance.
Therefore, more than nine frames in this best-of-11 clash is a solid proposition on recent evidence.
Mark Williams v Zhou Yuelong H2H Record & Stats
Mark Williams Wins | 7 |
Zhou Yuelong Wins | 3 |
Key Match Stats
Mark Williams has won the China Open three times and contested two more finals - a record tally he shares with Mark Selby
Williams leads the head-to-head with Zhou Yuelong 7-3
All four matches played by these players at the Shanghai Masters last week finished on 6-5 scorelines
Zhou, ranked 22nd in the world, reached one ranking final and two semi-finals last season
Williams secured his 27th career ranking title at the 2025 Xi'an Grand Prix
Zhou has made five centuries this season (including qualifiers), Williams made three at the Shanghai Masters
Read more snooker betting tips and predictions on site.
This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
