The Snooker World Open 2025 has delivered an electrifying series of upsets, shaking up the tournament dynamics in Yushan, China. Defending champion Judd Trump and reigning world champion Kyren Wilson have both suffered unexpected early exits, opening doors for emerging contenders and reigniting the competitive spirit in the arena.
World number one Judd Trump entered the tournament as a firm favourite, aiming to secure his third consecutive title. His early performances were nothing short of dominant, with commanding victories over Xing Zihao (5-0) and Long Zehuang (5-1), extending his winning streak in the event to 16 consecutive frames. However, his campaign came to an abrupt halt against Joe O’Connor in the round of 32.
Despite a promising start, Trump faltered against O’Connor’s precision and consistency. The Leicester-based player showcased exceptional form, crafting breaks of 64, 89, 51, 69, and a remarkable 113 to secure a 5-2 victory. Trump had multiple opportunities to turn the tide in his favour but struggled to find his usual rhythm, ultimately conceding defeat in a rare early tournament exit.
Speaking after his unexpected triumph, O’Connor expressed his elation: 'Any win against someone of Judd’s calibre is a huge achievement. I just enjoyed being out there and, luckily, today was my day.'
On the same day, world champion Kyren Wilson endured a heart-wrenching loss to China’s Zhou Yuelong in a nail-biting contest. The match saw Zhou surge to a commanding 4-0 lead, fueled by stunning breaks of 120, 73, 54, and 109. However, Wilson demonstrated why he’s considered one of the sport’s toughest competitors, rallying with breaks of 118, 100, and 64 to level the game at 4-4.
In a tense deciding frame, Zhou held his nerve, crafting a crucial break of 71 to edge past Wilson and secure his place in the last 16, where he will face four-time world champion John Higgins. This marks a breakthrough for Zhou, who continues to cement his status as one of China’s brightest snooker talents.
Trump and Wilson’s departures follow a pattern of shocking results that have left the tournament wide open. Former world champion Mark Selby was stunned by Liu Hongyu in a 5-2 loss, while Mark Allen suffered a narrow 5-4 defeat to David Lilley. Wuhan Open champion Xiao Guodong also bowed out after squandering a 4-0 lead against Duane Jones.
The early exits of such high-profile names, combined with withdrawals from the likes of Ronnie O’Sullivan and Luca Brecel, have created an unpredictable scenario in Yushan. Lower-ranked players now have a golden opportunity to make a deep run and challenge for the prestigious title.
While many big names have fallen, one player who remains unfazed is Masters champion Shaun Murphy. Displaying sheer dominance in his last-32 encounter against Thepchaiya Un-Nooh, Murphy delivered a 5-0 masterclass with breathtaking breaks of 83, 94, 94, 85, and 138.
Reflecting on his performance, Murphy said: 'I was very pleased with my game today. Thepchaiya is a dangerous opponent, and it could have easily gone the other way. I made sure to take my chances, and I’m delighted with how I played.'
With heavyweights eliminated and rising stars making their mark, the Snooker World Open 2025 is shaping up to be one of the most unpredictable and thrilling editions in recent memory. The competition is fierce, and every remaining player now has their sights set on capitalizing on this rare opportunity to etch their name in history.
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