This year’s Welsh Open has reached the last sixteen stage and it’s fair to say that the tournament is wide open. Several big names such as Kyren Wilson, Mark Allen, Shaun Murphy and local favourite Mark Williams have all crashed out early and there is a huge chance for one of the game’s lesser lights to get their hands on the £100,000 first place prize.
With the tournament now at its business end, here are some of the main talking points to have emerged so far.
The Rocket withdraws again
For the sixth time already this season Ronnie O’Sullivan withdrew before the first round of the Welsh Open in what is becoming something of a worrying trend.
The main reasons for the Rockets withdrawal has been his mental health and despite the manner and timings of his withdrawals, there isn’t a single person connected to the world of snooker that doesn’t want to see the seven time World Champion get better.
Despite his powers on the table being on the wane, O’Sullivan is still very much the face of professional snooker and he is still the one man that can attract sponsors and sell out venues. With O’Sullivan gearing up to play this week, the pre-tournament chat was all abuzz with the news that one of the sports greatest ever players was finally kicking off his season and naturally when it was informed to the crowd that he would be absent, there was disappointment.
With O’Sullivan feeling that he isn’t in the right headspace to compete, many believe that his chances of winning an eighth World Championship look to be unlikely. Short of matches in the competitive arena, if he does cue it up at the Crucible in just a few months he certainly has a job on his hands to do well.
All eyes will be on him as he decides whether to take up his place at the World Open which will be taking place in Yushan later this month.
Several big guns falter in their bid for Welsh Open glory
With Judd Trump opting to miss this week, there was a feeling heading into this week that the Welsh Open was wide open and that feeling has only been exacerbated with the loss of several of the game’s biggest names in the first two rounds.
Looking to cash in on his great rival Trump being away, world number two Kyren Wilson was looking to cash in and back up the success he had in Germany at the German Masters and land yet another title.
In Germany he was able to squeak through several tight encounters but the run on the balls wasn’t on his side this time around. Edging Marco Fu in a seven frame thriller 4-3, in the second round it would be he who would suffer the heartbreak of losing in the final frame. Falling to world number 39, Joe O’Connor, Wilson’s exit was certainly a surprise but one that perhaps was coming.
Exerting so much energy into his German Masters victory, it perhaps wasn’t a surprise that he wasn’t at his best this week and he will hope to rest up ahead of the World Open later this month.
Shaun Murphy is another big name who will be watching the Welsh Open like the rest of us from the comfort of his own couch. The Magician certainly won’t be panicking following his victory at the 2025 Masters but after early exits at the German Masters and now here there will be some concern about his form.
Murphy would have been bitterly disappointed over his first round exit where he fell to world number 75, Ma Hailong, despite leading 3-2 and having the match in his hands. Hailong would save his best for last, levelling the match at 3-3 before then holding his nerve to record the biggest win of his career.
The next casualty was hometown favourite Mark Williams who as of yet is yet to get going this year. After thrashing Florian Nussle 4-1 in the opening round, he was unable to carry that momentum over to his match with longtime rival Stephen Maguire. Maguire, who can be so dangerous on his day, was the man who brought the better quality to the table and he fully deserved his 4-2 victory.
Mark Allen is another who will be scratching his head and he would have been disappointed not to have been able to take advantage of the absences of both Trump and O’Sullivan. After edging 18 year old Stan Moody in Round 1, Allen became the latest victim to lose a final frame shootout, falling to the talented Sijun Yuan.
Allen will be hoping to land a first World Championship in just a few months and would have hoped to head to Sheffield roaring in confidence. Whilst he is never one to doubt his own abilities, it is a case of back to the drawing board following a disappointing week.
Selby will hope to make his quality count
With so many top seeds crashing out of the Welsh Open early, Mark Selby is the highest ranked player left in the draw and is now the bookies favourite.
After a tricky 2024, the Jester rounded into form during the second half of the year and was able to capture the English Open to propel himself back up the rankings.
Usually so consistent, the four time World Champion has been a little sluggish to start the season, having crashed out early at both the Masters and the German Masters but he looks on track here. Victories over Haydon Pinhey and a tight 4-3 victory over Elliot Slessor have seen him progress this far. In the last 16 he will face off against Jamie Jones and although the home crowd will be behind their man, if Selby can play to his best level he should advance.
Often so underrated despite all that he has achieved, Selby will hope that this week presents yet another opportunity for him to remind the world of his qualities.
Luca Brecel has chance to get his career back on track
After shocking the world back in 2023 when he came from nowhere to be crowned World Champion, Luca Brecel has had a tough time of things. Yet to really feature in any tour ranking event since his Crucible success, the Belgian has largely been able to keep his place inside the top 10 thanks to his World Championship win.
A maverick on the table, there can be no arguments that on his day he can be one of the best players in the world, however the decision making that accompanied his brilliant shot making has sadly let him down in recent times.
Often dazed and confused when he takes to the table, Brecel has been out of form for months, but he has the chance to turn that all around this week.
With only Mark Selby ranked above him, Brecel has a great chance of victory this week and has the opportunity to get his career back on track. Junxu Pang awaits in the last 16 and Brecel will need to overcome the form with his Chinese opponent having lost the last three matches against him. If he can win, a winnable quarter final against Jackson Page or Tom Ford awaits.
This is a big week for Brecel and he will hope to make the most of the opportunity that has come his way.
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.
 (1).webp)
