World Open 2025: Ronnie O'Sullivan, Judd Trump and Kyren Wilson pencilled in for opening day action in Yushan
By Desmond Kane
Published 16/01/2025 at 20:10 GMT
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World No. 1 Judd Trump is set to chase a third straight title at the World Open in Yushan next month, with a £175,000 first prize on the table for the winner. Trump defeated Ding Junhui 10-4 in last year's final, following his 10-5 win over Thepchaiya Un-Nooh in 2019, the final ranking event in China before the Covid pandemic. Ronnie O'Sullivan and world champion Kyren Wilson are also in action.
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Video credit: TNT Sports
The 51st Masters will conclude at London's Alexandra Palace on Sunday evening, but the sport's leading figures already have one eye on next month's World Open in China.
Several matches have been held over to the finals venue after qualifying took place at Ponds Forge in Sheffield before Christmas, with the 14th ranking event of the season set to be staged between February 23 to March 1 at the Yushan Sports Centre.
World No. 1 Judd Trump will begin his title defence against Xing Zihao on Sunday, February 23 at 11:30am GMT, with seven-time world champion Ronnie O'Sullivan facing Stuart Carrington at 6am, live on Eurosport and discovery+.
Trump defeated China's leading player Ding Junhui 10-4 in last year's final.
"It has been great to get back to China this season, I was excited to get back here," Trump said.
"The crowds have been massive this week, snooker is growing and the fans here are very young. It's really promising for our sport."
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Video credit: TNT Sports
He will secure a meeting with Long Zehuang in the last 64 if he comes through his tournament opener, with O'Sullivan in line to face Louis Heathcote if he overcomes Carrington.
World champion Kyren Wilson takes on Hammad Miah at 1:30am on the opening day, with a match against Lei Peifan his reward for reaching the second round.
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Mark Selby secured his spot in the last 64 with a 5-4 qualifying win over Artemijs Zizins last month and next takes on Liu Hongyu.
Fellow four-time world champion John Higgins meets Mark Davis in his quest for a last-32 match against Robbie Williams or Jak Jones.
One player who will not be in China is 2018 World Open winner Mark Williams, who lost 5-2 to world No. 98 Sunny Akani in qualifying.
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Watch and stream The Masters live on Eurosport and discovery+
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