High-level Snooker Unibet British Open contest featuring Judd Trump and Mark Allen in the last eight stages
The Unibet British Open has become a buzzing event with high-caliber matches over the past couple of days. All the quarter-finals will be held today. The face-off between Judd Trump, 35, and Mark Allen, 38, is particularly intense.
Quarter-finals Schedule
There are only eight contenders left: The quarter-finals of the Unibet British Open go down today. Following late-night games on the previous day, the matches for the last eight have been scheduled:
- 2 PM: Elliot Slessor – John Higgins
- 2 PM: David Gilbert – Mark Selby
- 8 PM: Judd Trump – Mark Allen
- 8 PM: Jak Jones – Oliver Lines
Interestingly, Elliot Slessor, 30, David Gilbert, 43, and Oliver Lines, 29 are three players currently outside the Top 16 of the WST world rankings [Link in English]. None of the Top 16 players made it to the semi-finals of the English Open last week.
Trump Voices Concerns About British Open Conditions
From a sports perspective, the British Open has captivated numerous fans recently. However, the tournament seems to pose significant challenges for the players. Even on the first day, Mark Allen voiced concerns about the climate and the table conditions.
Yesterday, Judd Trump also shared his views:
It's tough, the conditions aren't ideal, so you just need to find a way to win. It won't look particularly attractive, it's just about getting it done and staying mentally strong as possible.– Judd Trump, Snooker Player, Eurosport
During his match against Mark Davis, 52, the cue ball moved on its own twice – despite Trump not even touching the ball yet. Trump, known for his humility and scarcity of criticism, has rarely voiced such complaints. The fact that he now criticizes the table conditions in an interview seems to back up Mark Allen's earlier claims.
British Open Sports Betting Odds in a Nutshell
The British Open isn't just a significant event for the snooker community but also for sports betting enthusiasts. British tournaments enjoy a high prestige in snooker and are crucial for many players.
Bookmakers see Judd Trump as the likely winner of the tournament:
- Judd Trump: 2.63
- Mark Selby: 5.50
- John Higgins: 5.50
- Mark Allen: 6.00
- Jak Jones: 8.00
- David Gilbert: 11.00
- Elliot Slessor: 28.00
- Oliver Lines: 28.00
Match of the Day: Trump vs. Allen
When Judd Trump plays against Mark Allen tonight, snooker fans worldwide will hope for a spectacular match. Both players have demonstrated impressive form recently. The anticipation for the match is high.
Trump tops the WST world rankings with a substantial margin after winning the Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters and has already secured two tournament victories this season, showcasing consistent good performance. Winning the British Open would further cement his position at the top of the world rankings.
The face-off between Trump and Allen today is crucial: Mark Allen led the WST world rankings from May to August 2024 before Trump surpassed him. Allen is currently ranked 3rd – just behind the reigning world champion Kyren Wilson, 32, who was eliminated in the last 16.
At the moment, the two players are only 300 GBP (around 360 EUR) apart on the world rankings. This means Allen has a good chance to overtake Wilson after the tournament. Moreover, Allen seems to be in excellent form recently. Some fans and experts believe that the Northern Irishman has never played better.
Mark Allen Delivers Maximum Break in Last 16
Yesterday, Mark Allen, also known as "The Pistol," showcased his outstanding form. In his match against Ben Mertens, 19, he scored a maximum break:
Allen's innovative combination shot on the tenth red was particularly pivotal. He placed the red off the cushion into the right middle pocket (minute 6:45 in the linked video). This feat highlighted Allen's complete skill set. When the final ball dropped, the Cheltenham crowd showed their excitement and recognized Mark Allen's remarkable performance with thunderous applause.
It is his fourth maximum break in his career and his second this year. Mark Allen also scored a 147 maximum break at the Masters in January this year.
Early Exits for Favorites
Some favorites are no longer in contention for the British Open quarter-finals today. Following strong performances in recent weeks, Neil Robertson, 42, surprisingly lost to Rory Thor, 36. Thor clinched the last three frames to secure victory over Robertson.
Kyren Wilson is also out. He lost to the powerful Elliot Slessor 2-4. Ronnie O'Sullivan, 48, did not participate: He withdrew from the tournament at the last minute.
It remains to be seen who will eventually win the British Open and if there will be another unexpected champion.
In the world of snooker betting, bookmakers view Judd Trump as the likely winner of the Unibet British Open with odds of 2.63. Interestingly, some online casinos in Germany offer betting options for this tournament as well.
Among the players outside the Top 16 of the WST world rankings, Elliot Slessor and Oliver Lines are set to compete in the quarter-finals of the Unibet British Open, providing an opportunity for potential upsets.
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