The 2025 British Open started yesterday and I must confess that I struggled to feel involved and interested. Also, I expected this event to have a “random draw” after each round. I doesn’t appear to be the case this year.

Addendum/corrigendum… according to the commentators it will be random from round 3 on.

The only match I watches was Zhao Xintong v Ashleigh Hugill. Ashleigh is never an easy opponent and when you watch him play you wonder how he hasn’t done better in the game. It was no different yesterday.

All the results, as always, are available on snooker.org.

Unibet British Open Day One as reported by WST

Top seeds thrived on day one of the Unibet British Open in Cheltenham as all eight current or former World Champions in action scored victories to reach the last 64.

Judd Trump produced the best performance of the day, beating Aaron Hill 4-0 in just 53 minutes with top breaks of 103, 101 and 60. “I felt it was a tough draw, I knew I had to raise my game,” said the world number one, chasing his first title of 2025. “I have felt good this season, the results just haven’t quite come. Games like the one tonight give you a boost. I have scored well in most matches, my opponents have just potted some brilliant balls at the winning line and not given me a chance.”

Looking ahead to his next fixture against tour rookie Leone Crowley on Wednesday, Trump added: “There are a few new players coming through, from Ireland, China and mainland Europe. Snooker is in a good place in terms of talent coming through, it’s exciting.” 

Defending champion Mark Selby eased to a 4-1 win over David Grace, while Neil Robertson top scored with 104 in a 4-0 defeat of Alfie Davies.  

Last year’s runner-up John Higgins came from 3-1 down to beat his bogey player Mark Davis 4-3. He now faces Jack Lisowski on Tuesday afternoon in arguably the pick of the second round ties.

Current World Champion Zhao Xintong was pushed all the way by amateur Ashley Hugill but eventually came through 4-3, top scoring with 88 and 101. Shaun Murphy saw off Ross Muir 4-1 with a top break of 71. 

Kyren Wilson made a 141, an early target for the £5,000 high break prize, during a 4-1 win over Chris Wakelin. Mark Williams closed with a 127 as he enjoyed a 4-2 success against Si Jiahui.

The action at the Centaur Arena runs until Sunday.