Well, of course it did actually start nearly a month ago with the qualifying round. But it’s the first event proper, on television. It will be on Eurosport tomorrow, and on the player during the week-end. Neil Robertson is the defending champion.

The fitters have been hard at work

Quite a number of big names are missing, notably the reigning World Champion Judd Trump. Judd however was interviewed by Worldsnooker today

Three players who qualified will not be there: Soheil Vahedi from Iran, and two young chinese lads: Bai Langning and Chang Bingyu. Almost certainly visa issues and it’s a shame really.

As for Eurosport they started the new season with this…

Here is to a great season (hopefully!)