There will likely be loads of expertise on show throughout the semi-finals of the 2025 Welsh Open on Saturday in Llandudno.
Two former world champions will face off in opposition to one another over 11 frames within the opening last-four contest on the Venue Cymru.
The second penultimate-round conflict will then see a pair of six-time rating occasions winners – and a few former Welsh Open champions – do battle.
Let’s check out each matches within the Welsh Open semi-finals.
Luca Brecel vs Mark Selby
The opening fixture on Saturday will mark a repeat of the 2023 World Snooker Championship last, the place Luca Brecel edged Mark Selby to declare his maiden Crucible crown.
Extremely, that is Brecel’s first look in a rating occasion semi-final since that memorable fortnight in Sheffield.
The Belgian Bullet’s kind was so diabolical in 2024 that there have been even whispers that he might find yourself shedding his tour card.
These fears have now subsided, and astonishingly he has conversely put himself right into a stronger place on two different unlikely fronts.
Brecel would safe a last-gasp spot on the World Grand Prix in Hong Kong if he can overcome Selby and attain the Welsh Open last this week.
Going one additional and successful the occasion would additionally show enough sufficient to usurp Neil Robertson within the Residence Nations rankings and nab the £150,000 bonus that’s on supply for the collection chief this time period.
Selby, after all, could have different concepts as he chases a second piece of silverware in February on the World Snooker Tour.
Earlier this month, the Englishman added the Championship League invitational title to the British Open crown he already captured in September.
Selby’s first rating title got here on the 2008 Welsh Open and a triumph once more this 12 months would broaden his profession tally to 24.
When is it? Saturday, February fifteenth at 1pm UTC
Stephen Maguire vs Ali Carter
A battle of the six-time rating occasion champions and two former Welsh Open winners, Stephen Maguire challenges Ali Carter within the second semi-final tie.
It’s outstanding to suppose that somebody of Maguire’s stature hasn’t been to this stage of a rating event since he reached the final 4 of the 2021 Welsh Open.
The Scot was as soon as an everyday presence on the enterprise finish of competitions, however he has typically struggled to breed his greatest commonplace throughout the final decade or so on the circuit.
The saying ‘kind is momentary, class is everlasting’ could be an apt method to describe Maguire, as a result of at his easiest he was as harmful as they arrive.
By reaching the Welsh Open semi-finals, he has given himself a shot at one other rating success but additionally a potential ticket to Hong Kong for the World Grand Prix as properly.
Maguire has risen to thirty second on the provisional one-year rating record, which might be sufficient to see him qualify ought to Brecel fail to beat Selby.
Carter could have a say about that, with the Captain via to his first semi-final since successful the season-opening Championship League (rating version).
The Englishman boasts a superior head-to-head report in opposition to Maguire, though he did lose to the Glaswegian once they final crossed paths on the World Championship in 2024.
When is it? Saturday, February fifteenth at 7pm UTC
Featured photograph credit score: WST
