(Image by: juddtrump)
This year’s English Open has just 32 players remaining and already through the first few rounds of this year’s tournament we have seen several noticeable names crash out.
The main headlines so far of this year’s tournament is the early exit of Ronnie O’Sullivan. O’Sullivan who won this tournament back in 2017 and is a seven time World Champion, would have harboured serious hopes of a deep run at this year’s event, but his defeat to China’s Guoqiang He has seen those hopes end far earlier than most would have expected.
With O’Sullivan out, the tournament is wide open and there are plenty of the best players in the world who will be hopeful of taking home the £100,000 first place prize.
Here are some of the players to keep an eye on over the next few days.
Judd Trump
Favourite for victory is the defending champion Judd Trump.
The world number one, Trump has been a force over the last few months taking home the Shanghai and Saudi Arabia Masters before losing in the final of the China Grand Prix.
Out in front of the outright money list by almost £500,000, Trump is in flying form and is without doubt the man that everyone else needs to beat.
The shirt priced favourite by most leading bookmakers, Trump didn’t have things all his own way in the first round and had to come through a nail-biter against world number 65, Liu Hongyu. Edging through a final frame shootout and winning the match, 4-3.
A last 32 matchup against world number 33 Matthew Selt awaits next, and despite the short format it should be a match that Trump wins.
Mark Selby
Behind Trump in the betting are a string of world class players and the second favourite is Mark Selby.
A four time World Champion, Selby currently finds himself fifth in the world rankings but he heads into his last 32 clash against Joe O’Connor with a little bit of form to find.
Experiencing a first round defeat in the Saudi Arabian Masters to Neil Robertson, things weren’t too much better in China with the man from Leicester losing in the last 16 of both the Chinese Masters and Chinese Grand Prix.
Once regarded as one of the most consistent players on the World Tour, of late Selby’s form has been up and down and he hasn’t reached the latter stages of any event since his victory in the Championship League back in March.
Arguably still the best player in the world when on his game, if the best version of Mark Selby shows up this week, there are few in the field who may be able to stop him.
(Image by: markselby_7)
Neil Robertson
Neil Robertson completes the top three in the betting and the ‘Thunder from Down Under’ is rebuilding his career following a few years out in the snooker wilderness.
Another former World Champion, Robertson offered the world a reminder of his talents when reaching the quarterfinals of the Saudi Arabia Masters, narrowly falling to Judd Trump. Having beaten Mark Selby and Gary Wilson en route to the last eight, Robertson’s efforts were enough to propel himself back into the world’s top 30 and he will hope to build on that effort this week.
A convincing winner of his first round match against Wales’s Jackson Page, a mouthwatering clash against Shaun Murphy is easily the headline tie of this round.
With his confidence returning, the matchup with Murphy should hold no fears and few would be surprised if it was the man from Australia who were able to advance through with the win.
Kyren Wilson
If you are looking for some brilliant value this week, then Kyren Wilson could be your play.
The world number two is currently priced at 9/1 and for a man of his talents that price seems on the large side.
The 2024 World Champion, Wilson has had a year to remember and since winning the game’s greatest prize he has backed up that performance with a victory at the 2024 Chinese Grand Prix.
Now regarded as one of the world’s most consistent players, he was at his efficient and ruthless best in the first round, dispatching David Grace 4-1.
He now faces veteran Anthony McGill, although McGill has the ability to cause Wilson problems, this should be a contest that the Englishman comes through.
(Image by: kyrenwilson147)
John Higgins
One man who can never be discounted from these sorts of tournaments and events is John Higgins. One of the greatest players to have ever played the game, Higgins is still going strong at the age of 49 and will certainly fancy his chances of having a deep run.
Heading towards the twilight of his career, Higgins has become a little more inconsistent as he spends less time around the practice table.
Not in the best of form heading into this week, the ‘Wizard from Wishaw’ has suffered early exits in the build up to this week, losing early both in China and Saudi Arabia.
Now ranked 16 in the world, Higgins will want to maintain his status as one of the game’s elite players and will need a positive week to get his game trending back in the right direction.
A convincing winner of his first round clash against Andrew Higginson, he will have high hopes of advancing to the last 16 when he squares off against world number 21, David Gilbert.
Last 32 betting outlook
Set to take place until the end of the week, there is plenty for you to get your teeth into if you would like to place a bet on this year’s English Open.
Here is how the top ten in the betting currently looks.
Judd Trump - 2/1
Mark Selby - 7/1
Nathan Robertson - 8/1
Kyren Wilson - 9/1
Mark Allen - 10/1
Shaun Murphy - 12/1
Hossein Vafaei - 14/1
Si Jahui - 14/1
Ali Carter - 16/1
John Higgins - 16/1
Jonathan Ashby
Jonathan Ashby, at 35, boasts a deep well of knowledge about the world of snooker. A specialist with a passion for the game's history, techniques, and players, he provides invaluable insights to both novices and seasoned enthusiasts. Through his articles, Jonathan aims to share the rich tapestry and nuances of this beloved cue sport.
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