Si Jiahui vs Yize Wu Prediction: Battle of two Chinese

At York Barbican in York, Si Jiahui and Yize Wu will battle it out in the UK Championship round 1/16. Who wins this game as they look to advance to the next stage?

Si Jiahui will approach this game with confidence and look to give his best. In his last encounter, the world number 13 lost to Jack Lisowski in the International Championship, which ended 6-5. However, a look at his recent matches saw him lose three and two others against Tian Pengfei and Guodong Xiao. Yet, he picked up wins against Andrew Pagett and Ben Mertens in that run. As the favourite in this game, we can expect more from him as the Chinese look to rewrite his story. 

Yize Wu will rely on hope in this game as he comes in as the underdog in his first game in this tournament. In the qualification stage, Yize Wu defeated Ashley Carty and David Lilley, encounters that ended 6-2 and 3-6, respectively. However, a look at the Chinese recent matches saw him lose three times, coming against Jack Lisowski, Oliver Lines and Kyren Wilson. Yet, the 21-year-old defeated Andrew Higginson in that run, coming in at the China International Championship. 

I will lean with the bookies in this one, backing Si Jiahui to win. While Si Jiahui seems to be struggling at the moment, it is still tough to write off the quality and talent he needs in a game like this. Yize Wu could be a tough opponent, as he has had top performances, too. Bet on high frames, with Jiahui expected to qualify for the next round.