Northern Ireland Open Recap - Mark Selby beaten in decider by Louis Heathcote, Shaun Murphy downs Jiang Jun
Updated 21/10/2024 at 00:17 GMT+1
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Welcome to our live text coverage of day one of the 2024 Northern Ireland Open from the Waterfront Hall in Belfast, when four-time world champion Mark Selby was shocked by Louis Heathcote, being beaten in a decider. Earlier, defending champion Judd Trump cruised past Ishpreet Singh Chadha and 2023 world champion Luca Brecel edged past He Guoqian. Shaun Murphy beat Jiang Jun in a late battle.
Trump makes 28th century of season in win over Singh Chadha
Video credit: TNT Sports
THANKS FOR FOLLOWING THE ACTION WITH US TONIGHT
We will be back for abumper day of action tomorrow.
SESSION RESULTS:
Pang Junxu 4-3 Yuan Sijun
Stuart Bingham 4-1 Scott Donaldson
Mark Selby 3-4 Louis Heathcote
Gary Wilson 1-4 Mark Davis
Shaun Murphy 4-2 Jiang Jun
MURPHY BEATS JIANG 4-2!
It was a struggle, but Murphy will be delighted to get through - especially after seeing Mark Selby go out earlier.
MURPHY 3-2 JIANG (31*-42)
Murphy pits a very good cross-table red cutting up into the green pocket. You would fancy him to end the game now.
MURPHY 3-2 JIANG (30-42)
How unfortunate! Murphy rockets in the brown and the ball goes around the table and then pots the green.
MURPHY 3-2 JIANG (22*-38)
Jiang misses an awful black off its spot and the chance passes over to Murphy.
MURPHY 3-2 JIANG (21-37*)
Jiang back on the table now and he should push this match into a decider.
MURPHY 3-2 JIANG (21-23)
Murphy misses the green into the yellow pocket and then Jiang fails to pot a rocketed red into the middle - though he gets away without leaving on a red.
MURPHY 3-2 JIANG (1*-23)
A dreaded double kiss gives Murphy the chance to build a break.
MURPHY 3-2 JIANG (0-23)
A good pot gets Jiang back on the table but he loses position once more and it is end of break.
MURPHY 3-2 JIANG (0-9)
No score built and we are now in what could be a crucial tactical tussle.
MURPHY 3-2 JIANG (0-2*)
Murphy leaves a red in the bottom left jaws, after Jiang had left the black in the opposite side. Now Jiang looks like he has a chance to build a score.
MURPHY 3-2 JIANG
The Magician ends a break of 118 with a showboat double of the black.
MURPHY 2-2 JIANG (100*-28)
That's the first century of the match.
MURPHY 2-2 JIANG (61*-28)
Murphy has his biggest break of the match and could be set to get a century.
MURPHY 2-2 JIANG (8*-28)
Murphy given a chance to notch a long red and he makes no mistake.
MURPHY 2-2 JIANG (0-28)
Jiang gets a bit unlucky with position so plays safe to baulk.
MURPHY 2-2 JIANG (0-5*)
After a tight opening Murphy went in-off into the green pocket and from the D Jiang pots a fine long red and gets on the black.
MURPHY 2-2 JIANG
Murphy pots the last red and these two are level now after four frames.
MURPHY 1-2 JIANG (60-27)
Murphy misses frame ball and Jiang can still win this one.
MURPHY 1-2 JIANG (56*-27)
Jiang misses a red and Murphy will now surely get enough points to get over the line.
MURPHY 1-2 JIANG (55*-27)
Jiang gets out of position and leaves a tough long pot which he just misses. Murphy pots a red and leaves the green ball safe.
MURPHY 1-2 JIANG (54-1*)
Jiang with a good long pot and, with an inviting table, this frame is far from over yet.
MURPHY 1-2 JIANG (53-0)
A good half-century break but he misses a difficult red into the bottom-left corner and is fortunate not to leave anything on.
MURPHY 1-2 JIANG (9*-0)
Murphy seems happy to match Jiang in a shootout and potted a fine black into the middle and then a long red into the green pocket.
DAVIS BEATS WILSON 4-1
He now plays Stuart Bingham in the next round.
MURPHY 1-2 JIANG
The Magician getting some much-needed time on the table and much-needed frame.
MURPHY 0-2 JIANG (45-39)
Another good pot on the last red and Murphy is set to half the deficit.
MURPHY 0-2 JIANG (45-39)
He has slotted some beautiful pots in during this mini-break but he was unable to get the last red off the cushion so the frame is still open.
MURPHY 0-2 JIANG (29*-39)
This is a big frame now. Jiang misses a tough cut on the black and Murphy is now at the table, but he is looking far from smooth on the baize.
MURPHY 0-2 JIANG (14-38)
Jiang misses a red you'd expect him to get but only leaves a tough red into the green pocket - which Murphy misses by a mile!
MURPHY 0-2 JIANG (14-0)
Murphy's positional play was errant and he then missed the following red into the middle. You can't be giving Jiang many chances with him in this form.
MURPHY 0-2 JIANG (6*-0)
A wild shot from Jiang has provided Murphy with a chance to build a score.
MURPHY 0-2 JIANG
Jiang 9a second frame. He just misses a wild long cross-table pot into the yellow pot after a break of 60.
MURPHY 0-1 JIANG (9-31*)
Jiang with another long pot to set up a chance for the frame.
MURPHY 0-1 JIANG (9-22)
Murphy runs out of position and leaves a shot to nothing for Jiang - not something you want to do given his form, but he misses the pot.
MURPHY 0-1 JIANG (1*-22)
Jiang goes for a black he probably shouldn't have and leaves it in the jaws. Murphy then rattles a red into the yellow pocket to get himself underway.
MURPHY 0-1 JIANG (0-14*)
Jiang given a chance and he is at the table again and wasting no time with compiling a score.
DAVIS LEADING WILSON 2-1 ON OTHER TABLE
This game can be watched live on discovery+.
MURPHY 0-1 JIANG
Jiang wins the opener with a break of 78.
MURPHY 0-0 JIANG (0-65*)
A difficult shot for frame ball from the cushion but Jiang absolutely rifled it home!
MURPHY 0-0 JIANG (0-38*)
He has worked his way through a difficult-looking table and now looks set to win the frame.
MURPHY 0-0 JIANG (0-1*)
Stylish opening red by Jiang and he has a chance to make a score now.
MURPHY AND JIANG GETTING UNDERWAY NOW...
HEATHCOTE BEATS SELBY 4-3!
A good red down the left cushion secures the frame and match for Heathcote in the battle of Leicester. A huge upset.
SELBY 3-3 HEATHCOTE (21-70)
One snooker down. A bit rash from Heathcote. It shouldn't matter...
SELBY 3-3 HEATHCOTE (17*-70)
Selby plays on but he needs five snookers...
SELBY 3-3 HEATHCOTE (2-70*)
Heathcote plays a brilliant long red to all but secure the frame and match. What an upset!
SELBY 3-3 HEATHCOTE (2-49)
But Selby misses a green off the spot into the green pocket. You will never see Selby miss some of the shots he has in this match. Surely Heathcote makes him pay now.
SELBY 3-3 HEATHCOTE (2*-49)
Heathcote opens the reds up again and then attempts a high-risk double. Selby back at the table with a chance.
SELBY 3-3 HEATHCOTE (0-35)
Heathcote opens the reds up but gets little luck. He only leaves himself a narrow cut which he misses and gives Selby a chance to respond.
SELBY 3-3 HEATHCOTE (0-8*)
"A screamer of a long red," Foulds says. And Heathcote has the first chance in the decider.
BINGHAM 4-1 DONALDSON
A comfortable passage into the second round for Bingham.
SELBY 3-3 HEATHCOTE
We are going to a decider...
SELBY 2-3 HEATHCOTE (57*-39)
He got out of position on the yellow and jawed it in the middle pocket. One good shot on the green and Selby should get the frame.
SELBY 2-3 HEATHCOTE (55-39*)
Heathcote misses position on the last red but he sets himself up with a double which the old pool player nails with aplomb.
SELBY 2-3 HEATHCOTE (55-22*)
The pink just sneaks into the middle pocket. The break keeps going. This will be a career milestone if he clears up.
SELBY 2-3 HEATHCOTE (55-1)
Selby again misses a shot with the rest. He is 1 out of 5 with the rest today. This would be a great steal for Heathcote.
SELBY 2-3 HEATHCOTE (26*-1)
Selby with a good red this time to start a break.
SELBY 2-3 HEATHCOTE (19-1)
Heathcote misses a red to middle, then Selby misses one with the rest.
SELBY 2-3 HEATHCOTE (19-1)
"Unselbylike," Neal Foulds says and with good reason. A hideous safety shot leaves a red over the pocket, but Heathcote cannot get position off the red.
SELBY 2-3 HEATHCOTE (19-0)
I say that...Selby hits the yellow full ball after potting the green and it is end of break.
SELBY 2-3 HEATHCOTE (16*-0)
Heathcote fouled and Selby is at the table with a purpose. He is made for these situations.
BINGHAM IS 3-1 AHEAD
He needs just one frame to get past Scott Donaldson and reach the second round.
O'SULLIVAN WITHDRAWS FROM TOURNAMENT
Bad news for the fans in Belfast but they will now get to see Jimmy White on a main table, he plays Hossein Vafaei.
SELBY 2-3 HEATHCOTE
The break ends on 33 but he gets over the line and we are a frame away from a big upset.
SELBY 2-2 HEATHCOTE (1-59*)
Heathcote back at the table and just a couple of pots away from taking the frame.
SELBY 2-2 HEATHCOTE (1-48)
Heathcote back at the table. He looks nervous and probably makes the right call to just pot the black, rather than look to break open the reds, and extend the lead before playing safe.
SELBY 2-2 HEATHCOTE (1-29)
Another inexplicable miss from Heathcote but then another one from Selby. Crazy game this.
SELBY 2-2 HEATHCOTE (1-7*)
Selby hits the bump on the middle pocket from his safety. Heathcote now with a chance.
SELBY 2-2 HEATHCOTE (1-0)
Selby gets the first pot of the frame but is not on a red so plays safe.
SELBY 2-2 HEATHCOTE
A poor safety gives Selby an easy red to clinch the frame.
SELBY 1-2 HEATHCOTE (64-20)
Selby has pots two reds and colours but misses the ball which would have prevented Heathcote coming back to the table.
SELBY 1-2 HEATHCOTE (41-20)
Heathcote gets a red and colour but then loses position. Next time up he has a tough red and isn't close. Surely Selby wins the frame now.
SELBY 1-2 HEATHCOTE (41-15)
Just when you think the frame is his...Selby misses a pink into the middle hitting the far jaw.
SELBY 1-2 HEATHCOTE (6*-15)
Selby goes for an audacious long red and gets a little luck to set himself up for the pink. It could be a start of a substantial break.
SELBY 1-2 HEATHCOTE (5-15)
Incredibly Selby twice misses a red looking to nick it and get back to baulk.
SELBY 1-2 HEATHCOTE (5-7)
Sloppy from Heathcote ot lose position when he had a lot of options. He has to play safe.
SELBY 1-2 HEATHCOTE (5-0)
Selby misses a sitter. It is hard to believe he won the last tournament he was involved in.
NOT A LUCKY DAY!
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Watch the moment match tips in Moody's favour as Day suffers terrible slice of luck
Video credit: TNT Sports
SELBY 1-2 HEATHCOTE
Heathcote pots brown and blue to go ahead.
SELBY 1-1 HEATHCOTE (43-69)
He doesn't even try to get position on the brown to ensure he leaves Selby needing a snooker but the frame is far from over.
SELBY 1-1 HEATHCOTE (43-64*)
Heathcote getting a bit of luck. He left the red in the jaws from a safety but Selby was snookered. He misses the ball and Heathcote potted it and a colour. He just needs to go from yellow to green to ensure the frame is his.
SELBY 1-1 HEATHCOTE (43-54)
Selby goes in off to extend Heathcote's lead.
SELBY 1-1 HEATHCOTE (43-50)
Heathcote gets 40 but then misses the last red with the rest. All to play for now.
SELBY 1-1 HEATHCOTE (43-11*)
Selby again misses a red, hampered by awkward bridging, Heathcote now with another chance.
SELBY 1-1 HEATHCOTE (7*-10)
Selby back on the table and with a chance to build a score now.
SELBY 1-1 HEATHCOTE (1-10)
A good long pot gets Heathcote going in the frame but he is just inconsistent with his cue action and fails to get position, leaving the ball safe on the baulk cushion.
SELBY 1-1 HEATHCOTE (1-0)
Heathcote leaves a difficult red into the middle which Selby just misses, but the underdog then hits an horrendous shot, only for Selby to miss a straightforward pot and Heathcote to miss his intended red from a safety. Three of the worst shots you'll see back-to-back...a run ended by a good Selby red. He can only play a safety off it though.
SELBY 1-1 HEATHCOTE
He left himself having to stretch for the black but he kept his nerve and potted it to level the scoreline.
SELBY 1-0 HEATHCOTE (54-29*)
The frame is still alive. Selby overstretches for a red and misses it. Heathcote can level if he pots the colours now.
SELBY 1-0 HEATHCOTE (47-21)
The break falls down again. He had awkward bridging but there is no way Heathcote can win if he misses shots like that.
SELBY 1-0 HEATHCOTE (47-16*)
Very unlike Mark Selby, he misses an easy rest shot into the green pocket but after Heathcote misses as well the ball rolled down to the bottom right and dropped in.
SELBY 1-0 HEATHCOTE (39-15)
A poor positional shot off the blue means Heathcote has to sink a long red and he fails to do so.
SELBY 1-0 HEATHCOTE (39-9)
Selby opens the reds and gives himself a pot into the green pocket which he misses.
SELBY 1-0 HEATHCOTE (1*-9)
Selby misses an awkward red to the middle to present a chance to his fellow Leicester player, but Heathcote four shots later misses an easy blue to the bottom left corner.
BINGHAM 1-0 DONALDSON
He wins in a similar fashion to Selby overhauling a deficit by clearing up.
SELBY 1-0 HEATHCOTE
Selby secures the frame with a break of 88.
SELBY 0-0 HEATHCOTE (61*-31)
Selby left himself a bit to do with a long pot on the penultimate red, but he nailed it and now will take the frame.
SELBY 0-0 HEATHCOTE (7*-31)
A brown into the middle bounces off both jaws and stays out, gifting Selby a chance to build a score on an inviting looking table.
SELBY 0-0 HEATHCOTE (0-22*)
Heathcote with another chance. He does well matching Selby on safety play and now has the black in play.
SELBY 0-0 HEATHCOTE (0-6)
Heathcote pots a red into the middle but just fails to get position, snookering himself on the black, he almost puts Selby in a snooker behind the yellow off two cushions though.
SELBY 0-0 HEATHCOTE (0-1*)
We are underway in this best of 7 encounter. Selby misses a long pot and allows Heathcote in with the first chance.
BRECEL ADMITS TO HAVING DIFFERENT PRIORITIES TO OTHER PLAYERS
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Brecel admits to ‘different priorities’ after scraping to win over He in Belfast
Video credit: TNT Sports
2023 WORLD CHAMP GOT THROUGH EARLIER, BUT GOT A BIT OF HELP...
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'He's very good Luca Brecel but not that good' - Huge fluke helps secure win over He
Video credit: TNT Sports
WELCOME BACK FOR THE EVENING SESSION
First of all we will be concentrating on Mark Selby's clash with Louis Heathcote, while keeping tabs on Stuart Bingham-Scott Donaldson and Pang Junxu-Yuan Sjun.
You choose to watch any of the three matches on discovery+.
Later on we will follow action between Shaun Murphy and Jiang Jun, as well as Gary Wilson and Mark Davis.
afternoon wrapped up, evening to come
We will be back for the second session from 6:30pm, with former world champions Mark Selby and Shaun Murphy the star attractions.
‘I HAVE OTHER PRiorities IN LIFE’, SAYS BRECEL
Luca Brecel says that he has other priorities away from snooker after flying into the Northern Ireland Open hours before the tournament after cycling in Mallorca.
The former world champion had to come through a deciding frame in a 4-3 first round victory against He Guoqiang.
“I feel good, I’m missing a few shots here and there but the feeling is good,” said Brecel. “The early flight this morning from Mallorca, three hours, didn’t help.
“No excuses but that’s why I wasn’t that sharp today. I don’t look at it as a ranking event, it’s just a game today.
“I just love playing, not because of the ranking points or money. I don’t look like I take it seriously, but I actually do.
“I have other priorities in life to other players maybe. That’s the way I live my life, it’s very different to other players.
“That’s the way I want to live. I’ve been cycling the last few days in Mallorca, it’s not the preparation other players might take, but I enjoy it.”
SESSION RESULTS
Judd Trump 4-0 Ishpreet Singh Chadha
Lyu Haotian 1-4 Matthew Selt (33)
Jak Jones 4-0 Alexander Ursenbacher (79)
David Gilbert 1-3 Lei Peifan (84) – still playing
Luca Brecel 4-3 He Guoqiang (59)
Ryan Day 3-3 Stan Moody (82) – still playing
BRECEL 4-3 HE
He misses a third shot with the rest this afternoon ending a break of 19 which could have won the match.
Brecel only needs a red and black to win the game. However, the Belgian misses.
However, He is unable to capitalise. Brecel then pulls off the shot of the match, hitting a red in off the cushion to put himself in charge.
Needing three snookers He concedes the frame and Brecel progresses 4-3.
BRECEL 3-3 HE (44-19*)
Just as the Belgian looked on course to go through he misses a long red which hits the jaws of the pockets.
However, in response He pots a red and the cue ball to hand his opponent the advantage once again.
Brecel is also guilty of missing a relatively simple red which he fires against the pocket before it flies out.
Another Brecel error allows He an opportunity to salvage this game as he starts to build a solid break.
BRECEL 3-3 HE (44*-0)
Are the fortunes of Brecel turning?
The Belgian hits a perfectly timed pink which slides towards the pocket and stops for a brief moment before dropping.
A safety shot brings He back to the table, but he misses a long red.
Both players exchange some tactical shots before Brecel rifles a long red and blue, but the table is not perfect.
Brecel is taking his time as this one reaches the two-hour mark, but the former world champion is in charge of this deciding frame.
BRECEL 3-3 HE (14*-0)
No nerves in this deciding frame for He who went for an ambitious pot which was missed.
In comparison Brecel has a nice calm shot to sink the first red followed by a green.
However, the Belgian is furious with the positional shot which makes a pot impossible and brings He back to the table.
The Chinese player completely misses a safety shot missing all the ball completely and Brecel has another opportunity.
BRECEL 3-3 HE
The Belgian takes advantage of the missed black and powerfully opens up the reds.
However, after building a break of 11, Brecel plays himself into a difficult position. However, a subsequent shot results in the cue ball getting stuck in the pack of reds ending his break.
Both players will be unhappy with the amount of errors they have made in this game as Brescel misses another red.
Chasing to get back into the match He slots a red and with the table at his mercy he builds a break of 28 to win the frame.
Not finished He carries on clearing up the table with a clearance of 69.
BRECEL 3-2 HE (0-37)
Just as Brecel gains momentum the Belgian makes a mistake. A missed safety shot allows He to make a break early in this sixth frame.
Despite being behind in this match He looks calm and composed as he build his lead. In previous frames he has struggled with the rest, but not on this occasion.
He reaches 37 before missing the black for the third time in two frames.
BRECEL 3-2 HE
Another error for He allows Brecel back to the table in a game he really should not be still in.
The former world champion has the table at his mercy with the reds nicely spaced.
Brucel hits his highest break of the afternoon so far of 42 and pots a calm black to put the frame out of reach.
He is snookered and misses he ball completely before conceding the frame.
Both of the other matches currently taking place are level.
BRECEL 2-2 HE (19-22*)
A second error from the break in this match by Brecel gives his opponent a chance to make a break.
However, after reaching nine as easy pot on the black is wayward by He handing his opponent back the advantage.
After making a break of 19 it is Brecel who faulters from a difficult red which hits the jaws of the pocket.
This game is still there for the taking as He is now looking to build a winning advantage in this fifth frame.
BRECEL 2-2 HE
A frame full of errors from both players as firstly He misses the chance to snooker his opponent.
Brecel takes advantage potting a red before missing the subsequent blue.
However, just as He looks to build a winning break another error sees the Chinese player miss an excellent opportunity.
He finds some potting form with a succession of reds before making another error.
Brecel responds with a break of 17 which puts him in command with five colours remaining.
The Belgian sinks the green but then on the double sees the frame-ball brown hit the pocket.
A powerful pot on the blue by He sees the cue ball run into an unpotable position. In response Brecel kisses the pink which would have won him the frame.
Another error by He gives Brecel another opportunity and this time he fires home the pink to pull back into the match.
BRECEL 1-2 HE (31-28)
Frustration from Brecel with a frustrated shot which sees the red and cue ball collide.
He takes advantage with a long shot across the table to open his account for the frame before a fine shot on the blue.
However, the balls don’t fall kindly for the Chinese player and he is forced into a speculative pot on a group of three reds.
With the frame evenly balanced both players after forced into tactical shots.
BRECEL 1-2 HE (14*-0)
The Belgian looks low on confidence as he misses a simple red early in the fourth frame. It’s best of seven frames so this one is very important for Brecel to pull back.
Youngster He has also made mistakes in this game and Brecel capitalises to pot the opening red of the frame.
A powerful shot to sink the pink breaks up the pack of reds, but nothing is left on for the former champion.
Brecel is given another opportunity at the table and this time powerfully dispatches two reds and the blue.
BRECEL 1-2 HE
Brecel shakes his head in disbelief after making an error on the safety shot which allows He a chance to win the frame.
However, He sees the brown stay out of the pocket after clipping the jaws. Brecel does pot the brown impressively but also fails to capitalise on the remaining colours.
Brecel is 13 behind with three colours remaining as He misses another attempt on the blue.
He goes for an incredible double shot on the blue, but it hits the jaws of one pocket and out of the far end pocket.
Brecel is also guilty of making errors and eventually He does sink the blue, then pink and black.
Elsewhere, Jones has beaten Ursenbacher 4-0 and Selt recorded a 4-1 win against Haotian. Day is currently 2-0 up against Moody.
BRECEL 1-1 HE (41*-61)
Once again when under pressure Brecel pulls out the pots with an excellent red which gets him back underway and the brown follows.
However, the Belgian misses the subsequent red across the table. At another pivotal point in this match both players are drawn into tactical play.
This time it is He who pots a red across the table with confidence followed by the black. After sinking the black the cue ball ends in the pocket which gives Brecel a golden opportunity.
BRECEL 1-1 HE (27-60)
Some really nice shots from He as he closes down the lead from Brecel on a relatively spaced out table.
The young Chinese player comfortably pots a difficult red across the table which may have caused others more difficulty.
Brecel is left watching on after he broke up the reds and then missed a pivotal shot.
He has been grateful for the opportunity and confidently picks off another red and goes up the table for the resulting blue.
The youngster has had some trouble using the rest and misses another red when in a winning position.
BRECEL 1-1 HE (27-1*)
He looks shaken from losing that attritional second frame and misses a relatively simple red early in the third frame.
It is Brecel who seizes the initiative potting a succession of reds and colours. Brecel looked on course to building a good break.
However, after breaking the reds up he misses a pot and hands momentum back to He.
BRECEL 1-1 HE
Belgian star Brecel escapes four snookers before the table is open for He who using the rest fails to pot the red.
After almost nine minutes without a pot it is Brecel who takes a risk and fires across the table to sink a red.
Just as he looked snookered Brecel then hits a curved shot onto the yellow and sinks the ball. The brown also forces an incredible shot from the Belgian and into the driving seat.
The blue pots him back ahead on points and then Brecel pots the pink to win a tight frame.
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'Look at this' - Brecel makes stunning clearance to snatch second frame against He
Video credit: TNT Sports
BRECEL 0-1 HE (44-55)
Once again Brecel is guilty of missing a relatively straight forward red as the ball clips the jaws of the pockets.
He is still in the lead and can now seal the frame. However, the Chinese player misses a red, while using the extension, but luckily snookers Brecel.
Tactical play develops between the opponents with just one red and the colours remaining in this pivotal frame.
Brecel is forced to play his way out of several snookers, but each time responds with a safety shot of his own.
BRECEL 0-1 HE (30*-47)
He continues to show the confidence he showed in the first frame with some attacking shots which has put him in command.
The Chinese youngster takes on a very difficult red which he clips in off the pocket. However, He misses a more simple shot on the pink which allows Brecel back to the table.
BRECEL 0-1 HE (23-15*)
He makes an error at the start of this frame potting the cue ball and opening up the table for Brecel.
The Belgian makes a good start to the frame, splitting the reds, before missing an easy red and handing his opponent a great opportunity.
If He can show composure here he could be 2-0 ahead in this game.
BRECEL 0-1 HE
He has taken the initiative in this opening frame as he confidently walks around the table playing some fine shots.
He picks off the reds as he clocks up an unassailable score and is then onto frame ball with a powerful black.
The 24-year-old shows no hesitation against the former world champion. Brecel looked timid from the break and faces an uphill task in this first round match.
An ‘immaculate’ break by He as he sinks to blow to start the match with a century and then cleans up the table.
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Snooker - Northern Ireland - Brecel vs He - clips - He's century in frame 1
Image credit: TNT Sports
BRECEL 0-0 HE (1-16*)
Early chances go begging as from the break Brecel sees the cue ball skim the pack of reds and head into the pocket.
Chinese star He has an opportunity to pot the opening ball, but hits the jaws of the pocket. At the second time of asking He sinks the red before then seeing the brown come off the cushion.
That allows Brecel to sink his opening red and then miss a black with a challenging shot.
Youngster He is ranked 64 in the provisional end of season rankings and also needs a good run in Belfast.
BRECEL v HE NEXT UP
Former World Champion Brecel is next on the table as the number six seed looks to rekindle the form which led him to the 2023 title.
Brecel is down at 60th place in the provisional end of season rankings and his Tour card is in danger. A good run here would help him in that respect.
Elsewhere, Jones is 3-0 up against Ursenbacher
TRUMP KNEW HE HAD TO ‘BE ON IT’
Trump said that coming up against a dangerous opponent in the form of Singh in the opening round at Belfast made sure that he was ‘on it’ from the start.
Singh reached the English open semi-final but failed to win a frame against Trump in a 4-0 whitewash.
“I was very happy with how I played,” said Trump. “I knew he was a dangerous player who has had some great results recently.
“That helped me as I knew I had to be on it from the very start. I’ve had some good practice since I lost to Si (Wuhan Open semi-final) who played unbelievable, there wasn’t much I could do.
“I knew I was playing well, but to start like that in a tournament is always nice and fills you with confidence.”
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Trump ‘very happy’ with win over Singh Chadha at Northern Ireland Open
Video credit: TNT Sports
TRUMP 4-0 SINGH
With a 96% shot success and a perfect safety success it is a convincing display by Trump who runs out 4-0 victor.
It was poetry in motion for the world No.1 who is through to the next round with less than an hour played.
Trump says that he likes to put on a show for fans and that he has done that during his opening victory in Belfast.
Despite his recent success Singh was not ruthless with the few opportunities that he had and was left watching in awe for the majority of the match.
TRUMP 3-0 SINGH (68*-0
Belfast has been treated to a display this afternoon from Trump who has not put a step wrong.
Event with the extension Trump is able to slot a red, before breaking up the pack and onto the pink.
However, he misjudges the positional shot which allows Singh briefly back to the table.
Singh is unable to take the opportunity and is punished by Trump who has the match won in 48 minutes.
TRUMP 3-0 SINGH (29*-0)
The defending Northern Ireland Open champion must be ready for his Sunday dinner as he is relentless in this match.
A long pot on a red opens the frame before he then sinks the brown at the opposite end. He then hits a powerful red which allows the cue ball to open the pack of reds and create more opportunities.
TRUMP 3-0 SINGH
Efficient play by Trump as he pots a colour at the top end of the table before the cue ball runs on to break up the rest of the reds.
Trump has been very consistent and has rarely missed a shot in these opening three frames. He plays another difficult shot on the black which hits the jaws of the pockets before going in.
With 27 centuries this season Trump continues to clean up the table despite sealing the frame.
Trump, who is full of confidence and likes this venue, is in formidable form as he hits his first century of the competition to make it 3-0 and almost out of sight in this game.
After sinking a tough blue Trump has no pot on the pink and the frame is over.
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Trump makes 28th century of season in win over Singh Chadha
Video credit: TNT Sports
TRUMP 2-0 SINGH (29*-1)
An excellent pot across the table from Singh opens the scoring in the third frame. He also sinks the black before being faced with a pack of reds so opting for the safety shot.
The players exchange shots at the back of the table, before Singh opens the door for Trump to start a break.
Tump shows his class with a positional shot off the brown and receives plaudits from the commentary team for his display.
The table is now much more open for the defending champion.
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Trump plays 'incredible' positional shot to keep break going against Singh Chadha
Video credit: TNT Sports
TRUMP 2-0 SINGH
Singh eventually misses the yellow and the frame is over with Trump two frames ahead with just over 30 minutes played.
The world No.1 has started with consistent shots and Singh will need a huge fightback to prevent a first round exit.
Singh has a 95% pot success compared to his opponent's 64%
On table two Jones is 2-0 up against Ursenbacher.
TRUMP 1-0 SINGH (86-16*)
Singh can only watch on as Trump continues to add more points. However, a powerful shot on the black results in the cue ball being surrounded in the table.
Singh had looked to be staring at a 2-0 deficit but is allowed back to the table. However, the Indian player misses a relatively simple red allowing Trump to play a safety shot which Singh then returns.
A tactical battle develops between the competitors with each forcing the other to play long shots from the back of the table.
Trump is then handed a chance at the red which he takes and the resulting black puts the frame out of reach.
Despite the frame being won Singh wants some table time but needs snookers to put any pressure on Trump
TRUMP 1-0 SINGH (42*-0)
Picking up where he left off in the first frame Trump kisses a red on the outside to start a break.
The break has opened the pack of reds up enough for the top seed to pick them off and the black is handily placed to continue.
Eventually Trump plays up the table for the blue which allows him to open the red up. The defending champion has started in scintillating form.
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‘Very good stuff’ - Trump pots excellent red against Singh Chadha
Video credit: TNT Sports
TRUMP 1-0 SINGH
Trump is the player who eventually pots a red and then starts to build on his total for the frame.
The retaining champion needs the extended to sink the black in an awkward position, but do so with ease.
The Englishman has started in good form continuing his red and black rhythm to put the first frame out of sight.
He then moves onto the colours and is tested with the green before rifling home the blue. Eventually he runs out of options on the pink and misses, but the frame was wrapped up regardless.
Just the once in the first frame did Trump elect for a safety shot in an otherwise dominant frame.
On the other table Jones has gone 1-0 up against Ursenbacher
TRUMP 0-0 SINGH (45-1)
That error by Singh potting the cue ball has really handed the initiative to Trump who has the black in play as he pots consecutive reds.
The world No.1 looks like he is running out of reds to pick off as a group of nine reds are still together.
Trump hits a powerful shot onto the black which he hoped would open the pack up, but it lacks the power required and allows Singh back to the table.
Singh forces his opponent to the back of the table and Trump gives him an opportunity on a red.
However, the 65 seed misses, only for Trump to also hit the jaws of the pocket with his next shot.
TRUMP 0-0 SINGH (15*-1)
Singh takes the opening pot of this match with a long pot onto a red before playing the safety shot.
The Indian star then tries to break the reds but sees the cue ball drop into the far pocket.
Trump seizes the initiative rifling a long red in which runs him straight onto a colour.
singh HOPING TO CUT MISTAKES OUT
Singh made the semi-final at the English Open and has consistent form heading into this first round match.
“I think I need to make a lot less silly mistakes,” said Chadha talking before the match. “I think that will keep happen as I keep winning.”
MURPHY BELIEVES TRUMP HAS "INTIMIDATION FACTOR"
Defending Northern Ireland Open champion Trump has had an incredible year with wins in the Saudi Arabia Masters, World Open, German Masters and Shanghai Masters.
The world No.1 is favourite to retain his title this week and rival Shaun Murphy believes that Trump has the psychological edge.
GOOD AFTERNOON
Hello and welcome to our coverage from the afternoon session starting at 13:00GMT.
Defending champion Judd Trump starts his defence against 65th seed Ishpreet Singh Chadha.
Earlier today we have seen Zhou Yuelong beat Dominic Dale 4-3 in a close encounter. Along with Robert Milkins overcoming Jordan Brown 4-2.
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'Can't stop potting' - Milkins misses pot, returns to seat and sees blue go round table and drop in
Video credit: TNT Sports
Sunday's Schedule
Round 1
10:00
Zhou Yuelong (25) v Dominic Dale (40)
Robert Milkins (21) v Jordan Brown (44)
Qualifying Round 1 - Oliver Lines (94) v Joshua Cooper (a)
13:00
Judd Trump (1) v Ishpreet Singh Chadha (65)
Lyu Haotian (32) vs Matthew Selt (33)
Jak Jones (15) v Alexander Ursenbacher (79)
15:00
David Gilbert (20) v Lei Peifan (84)
Luca Brecel (6) v He Guoqiang (59)
Ryan Day (18) v Stan Moody (82)
19:00
Stuart Bingham (24) v Scott Donaldson (41)
Mark Selby (5) v Louis Heathcote (69)
Pang Junxu (27) v Yuan Sjun (38)
21:00
Gary Wilson (9) v Mark Davis (56)
Shaun Murphy (8) v Jiang Jun (72)
Stream the 2024 Northern Ireland Open live on Eurosport and discovery+
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