2021 English Open – Last 32 and last 16

All the 2021 English Open detailed results – so far – can be found on snooker.org

The last 32 round at the 2021 English Open yielded a few surprises …

Ross Muir, now an amateur, whitewahed Anthony McGill
Robbie Williams beat Barry Hawkins by 4-1
Paul Deaville, who only just turned 17 and has never been a pro, beat Zhao Xintong by 4-3
Fraser Patrick beat Shaun Murphy by 4-2.

Here are the reports by WST:

Robertson Building Form

Neil Robertson battled past Thailand’s Sunny Akani 4-2 to earn his place in the last 16 of the BetVictor English Open in Milton Keynes.

Robertson is appearing in the final stages of a tournament for just the second time this season, having missed the British Open due to it clashing with his wedding to long term partner Mille. He made the last 32 of the BetVictor Northern Ireland Open.

The Australian is gearing up for the defence of his UK Championship title later this month. He defeated Judd Trump 10-9 in an epic final 12 months ago.

Robertson trailed 2-1 this evening, before restoring parity with a fine run of 106 to make it 2-2. From there he notched up a further two on the bounce, including a break of 79, to run out a 4-2 victor. Next up he faces Mark Davis.

Robertson said: “It’s all about building up to the UK Championship, enjoying myself as much as I can this week and playing some good snooker. It is great to have crowds back in. Hopefully that can build as the week goes on. It is nice to be back in a familiar environment. This venue was so amazing to us last year, it is nice to come back in and see people without a big black curtain around the table.”

World number one Judd Trump booked his place in the last 16 with a 4-1 defeat of Stephen Hallworth.

Regardless of the outcome this week, World Champion Mark Selby will overhaul Trump and claim the top spot in the world rankings. That is due to Trump’s prize money for winning the 2019 World Open and 2019 Northern Ireland Open falling off his ranking at the end of this tournament.

The Ace in the Pack top scored with a break of 87 tonight. He faces Scottish amateur Ross Muir up next. Muir whitewashed his compatriot Anthony McGill 4-0 this evening.

King defeated Tom Ford 4-3, while Robbie Williams beat Barry Hawkins 4-1.

Thursday morning and afternoon sessions

O’Sullivan Edges Through

Ronnie O’Sullivan held off an Anthony Hamilton fightback to win 4-3 and secure his spot in the last 16 of the BetVictor English Open in Milton Keynes.

The Rocket is aiming for a first title since the 2020 World Championship this week, having lost five finals last season. Next up he faces Welshman Jamie Clarke in the last 16 this evening. Clarke defeated Thai number one Thepchaiya Un-Nooh 4-1 this afternoon.

O’Sullivan opened up with breaks of 62 and 61 to take a 2-0 lead over Hamilton. The Sheriff of Pottingham then got his first frame on the board, before O’Sullivan moved one from victory at 3-1.

Hamilton refused to wilt and battled back into contention with breaks of 75 and 71 to force a decider. He then appeared to play a good safety at the beginning of the final frame, before O’Sullivan deposited an audacious long range red. He made 119 from it and secured his progression.

World number 115 Fraser Patrick secured a huge 4-2 win over 2005 World Champion Shaun Murphy to reach the last 16 of a ranking event for the first time in his career. He now faces Luca Brecel.

“I’m delighted. That is probably my best win, considering the stage of the tournament,” said Scotland’s Patrick. “To beat someone like Shaun is great. I beat Stuart Bingham last week to qualify for the European Masters, so that has given me confidence coming into this.”

World Champion Mark Selby eased through to the last 16 with a 4-1 win over close friend Chris Wakelin. Next up he faces an intriguing clash with Masters champion Yan Bingtao, who defeated David Gilbert 4-2.

There were no real surprises in the last 16 round, although most fans would probably have expected Mark Selby to prevail over Yan Bingtao.

Here is the report by WST

Robertson Fights Back To Reach Quarters

UK Champion Neil Robertson recovered from 2-0 and 3-2 down to beat Mark Davis 4-3 and reach the quarter-finals of the BetVictor English Open in Milton Keynes.

Robertson will now face a repeat of last season’s World Championship quarter-final with world number five Kyren Wilson, which he lost 13-8. Wilson reached the quarters with a 4-1 win over Robbie Williams.

Australia’s Robertson is gearing his form towards the defence of his UK Championship title later this month. He was victorious in the event 12 months ago after an epic 10-9 win over Judd Trump.

It was Hastings cueman Davis who took the early initiative this evening to lead 2-0, before breaks of 72 and 85 from 39-year-old Robertson saw him draw level at 2-2. They then traded frames as the match came down to a decider, where the Thunder from Down Under stormed over the line with a break of 73.

“It was a really good match. I thought Mark played really well. Early on his safety was very good and he didn’t let me in. It was certainly a match that was worthy of a decider. He missed a tricky black to give himself a good chance to win and I made a really good match winning break,” said 2010 World Champion Robertson.

“Kyren has a really good all round game. He never gives in and that showed at the World Championship. A few times I was within an inch of going three frames up. He dug in and ended up winning those frames. He’s got great ability to stick in a match. He’s nicknamed the Warrior for a reason. He really fights and really wants it. It is a fantastic challenge for me to face so early in the season and I’m looking forward to the match.”

Ronnie O’Sullivan narrowly missed out on a maximum break in the final frame of his 4-0 win over Jamie Clarke.

O’Sullivan looked to be in position to go for the 147 when he fell out of position on the final yellow, breaking down on 120. The six-time World Champion also composed breaks of 123 and 54 on his way to victory. Next up he will face Belgium’s Luca Brecel, who defeated Fraser Patrick 4-2.

World number one Judd Trump booked his place in the quarters with a 4-1 defeat of Ross Muir.

The Ace in the Pack is guaranteed to be overhauled by Mark Selby at the top of the world rankings at the end of this week, regardless of the outcome. That is due to Trump’s prize money for winning the 2019 World Open and 2019 Northern Ireland Open falling off his ranking at the end of this tournament.

He produced a superb showing to brush aside Muir this evening. Having trailed 1-0, breaks of 81, 57, 104 and 62 saw Trump sweep to four on the bounce to secure victory.

Trump will face Mark King in the quarter-finals. King earned his passage with a 4-0 win over English under-16 champion Paul Deaville.

John Higgins progressed to the quarters with a 4-1 win over China’s Ding Junhui.

Scotland’s 31-time ranking event winner Higgins said earlier in the week that he felt he was playing the best snooker of his life. He put on a break building masterclass this evening, with runs of 80, 69 97 and 103 securing the win. His opponent in the last eight will be Masters champion Yan Bingtao.

Yan came through a late night battle with World Champion Mark Selby 4-3. The clock was just shy of quarter to one when Yan clinched the decider on the colours. It is his first win over Selby since the 2017 Welsh Open.