Eight gamers are left vying for glory within the quarter-finals of the Northern Eire Open draw on the Waterfront Corridor in Belfast.
There are 5 world champions nonetheless in competition to raise the Alex Higgins Trophy on Sunday, with the remaining three gamers hoping to seal a maiden profession rating title.
Let’s check out all 4 Northern Eire Open quarter-finals.
Judd Trump vs Shaun Murphy
There are a few humdinger ties within the final eight and one among them is undoubtedly the fixture between Judd Trump and Shaun Murphy.
The Englishmen have already crossed paths twice throughout the 2024/25 snooker season, with Trump rising on prime on each events.
Trump beat Murphy to win the Shanghai Masters crown in July earlier than edging a 6-5 thriller within the semi-finals of the Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters.
The 35 year-old prolonged his 2024 streak of getting reaching the quarter-finals or higher of each occasion he has participated in by beating Barry Hawkins 4-1 on Thursday.
Murphy, in the meantime, fought again from 3-1 behind to disclaim Stuart Bingham on the ultimate black and arrange a match towards the reigning Northern Eire Open champion.
The general head-to-head report reads favourably for Trump, and the world primary has received this showdown the final 5 instances it’s occurred.
Louis Heathcote vs Elliot Slessor
The opposite conflict within the prime half of the Northern Eire Open draw gives an enormous alternative for 2 unseeded gamers to achieve the enterprise finish this week.
Elliot Slessor beat Lei Peifan within the final 16 to maneuver to inside one victory of matching his earlier finest run in a rating occasion.
His opponent Louis Heathcote, who overcame Tian Pengfei within the final spherical, has by no means reached the semi-finals in a match of such standing.
Each Slessor and Heathcote can be starting to dream of the riches and alternatives that may include touchdown silverware for the primary time.
Not solely is there a £100,000 champion’s cheque on provide in Belfast, however one of many final spots within the upcoming Champion of Champions invitational can be obtainable for the winner this weekend.
Slessor, who typically boasts extra expertise and must be thought of the favorite, and Heathcote have met thrice up to now however by no means at this late stage of an occasion.
Neil Robertson vs Pang Junxu
Neil Robertson wanted all seven frames to scrape previous Graeme Dott at first of the week, however since then he has misplaced just one body whereas securing wins towards Wang Yuchen and Oliver Strains.
The Australian received the primary Dwelling Nations match of the marketing campaign when he captured the English Open in Brentwood.
Success within the Northern Eire Open would full the set within the collection, with Robertson having additionally beforehand received the Welsh and Scottish Opens in his profession.
Pang Junxu represents the Australian’s subsequent problem, the 24 year-old reaching the quarter-finals following a routine 4-0 defeat of Martin O’Donnell.
Pang truly beat Robertson the final time they encountered one another – securing a 5-4 victory on the 2022 European Masters.
The Melbourne man, nevertheless, is clearly feeling extra assured nowadays after his prolonged spell within the doldrums.
Right here, the world quantity 16 has the opening to spice up his probabilities of safeguarding an automated spot on the UK Championship and a ticket again to the distinguished Masters.
Mark Williams vs Kyren Wilson
The second blockbuster battle of the quarter-finals is certainly the competition between reigning world champion Kyren Wilson and Mark Williams.
The latter, Northern Eire Open champion in 2017, reached this level with a 4-2 overcome Ma Hailong whereas Wilson ended the spectacular run of teenager Stan Moody.
Wilson boasts the superior head-to-head report towards Williams, successful 11 of their prior 17 affairs in all competitions.
The Kettering cueist already has a trophy to his identify from this season after his success within the inaugural Xi’an Grand Prix.
Williams arguably ought to have had silverware too however missed what was successfully championship ball within the deciding body of the Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters, ultimately shedding out on the £500,000 jackpot to Trump.
These are the sorts of close to misses that Williams has expertly been capable of rapidly put out of his thoughts, and right here he’s difficult for honours once more.
2024 Northern Eire Open draw
Quarter-Finals (bo9)
Friday, October twenty fifth
12pm UTC+1
Neil Robertson vs Pang Junxu
Following 12pm sport
Mark Williams vs Kyren Wilson
7pm UTC+1
Judd Trump vs Shaun Murphy
Louis Heathcote vs Elliot Slessor
Click on right here to view the total draw
(snooker.org)
Featured picture credit score: WST
