Today sees the start of the BetVictor English Open at Barnsley Metrodome.
There are no spectators but at least the matches are on the Eurosport Player this time.
For some strange reason the WST continue with their billing of these first round matches as “Qualifiers”. They aren’t really qualifiers other than winners play the next round at a different venue. Some matches are even carried over to the main arena. I would say that for them to be classed as qualifiers there would have to be a new draw for the first round proper.
In fact, 17 of the so-called qualifiers are held over anyway. The top 16 seeds have their matches held over along with the two wildcard nominations. One of these nominations actually plays a top 16 player hence only 17 matches rather than 18.
The Wildcard Nominations
As is the usual case for the Home Nations series, the home NGB gets to nominate two players to take part in the event. The EPSB nominations are Paul Deaville and Oliver Sykes.
Paul Deaville
Paul is the current English Under 16 champion, having retained his title recently at the Northern Snooker Centre in Leeds as part of the finals weekend. He is draw against his idol Mark Williams [8] and is scheduled to play on Monday 1 November.
Oliver Sykes
Oliver was Paul’s opponent in the Under 16 final and was also runner up in the Under 18 final – losing to current professional Sean Maddocks. He is scheduled to play Allan Taylor [75], also on Monday 1 November.
The other amateurs
There are other amateurs invited, as a result of their placing on the Q School Order of Merit, to make up the 128.
It’s also possible that if travel restrictions aren’t lifted by 1 November when Ng On Yee is due to play Stuart Bingham [13], then the next available on the Q School Order of Merit will be invited.
The draw featuring amateurs
Soheil Vahedi v Joe Perry [21]
David Lilley v Ronnie O’Sullivan [3] (Held over)
Michael Georgiou v Elliot Slessor [43]
Si Jiahui v Li Hang [39]
Michael White v Stephen Hendry [89]
Sanderson Lam v Mark Selby [2] (Held over)
James Cahill v Lee Walker [83]
Ross Muir v Dean Young [119]
Update:
I wasn’t aware at the time of writing that Zhou Yuelong had withdrawn and been replaced by Ross Muir. Muir will face fellow Scot, Dean Young [119].
Update: 18/09/21
Ross Muir beat Dean Young 4-1 – (WST Scorecard)
Bai Langning replaced Zhang Jiankang and will play Jak Jones [65] today
Update: 19/09/21
Soheil Vahedi beat Joe Perry 4-2 (WST Scorecard) which is a fantastic result for the recently relegated Vahedi.
Bai Langning bowed out in a 4-2 defeat to Jak Jones. ( WST Scorecard )
James Cahill has been called up to replace Lei Peifan, and I hear Dylan Emery as well. I can’t see Dylan in the draw yet.
Update:20/09/21
Two very good results for the amateurs with James Cahill beating Lee Walker 4-2 ( WST Scorecard ) and Michael Georgiou beating Elliot Slessor 4-1 ( WST Scorecard )
There’s still no news yet on whether or not Dylan Emery will be needed. It might be that he’s been called up just in case someone else tests positive or has been in contact with someone who has.
Update: 21/09/21
The only amateur in action yesterday was Si Jaihui who played Li Hang but lost 4-1 ( WST Scorecard )
Update: 23/09/21
There were no amateurs playing on Tuesday.
Michael White was the last of the amateurs and he faced Stephen Hendry [89].
I didn’t get to see the match but I heard that White couldn’t take advantage of Hendry’s apparently poor start and eventually lost out 4-1 ( WST Scorecard )
The so-called ‘Qualifiers’ are now done except for the ones held over to the main arena in Milton Keynes. The next round starts on Monday 1 November and the event concludes on Sunday 7 November.
6 amateurs will be in action!
Follow the scoring on snooker.org (remember times are in CEST so take off 1 hour for BST)
I will update as the event continues.