Without quite a few of the top players …

Withdrawals From World Open

Mark Selby, Barry Hawkins, Stephen Maguire, David Gilbert, Chris Wakelin, Chris Totten, Ishpreet Singh Chadha and Jak Jones have pulled out of next week’s World Open in China.

Selby was due to face Michael Holt in the last 64 on Tuesday March 17th, instead Holt receives a bye to the last 32.

Hawkins was due to meet Ian Burns on Tuesday so Burns also receives a bye to the last 32.

Maguire was due to face Xu Si on Monday so Xu receives a bye to the last 32.

Gilbert was due to face Matthew Selt on Monday so Selt receives a bye to the last 32.

Wakelin was due to face Artemijs Zizins on Monday so Zizins receives a bye to the last 32.

Singh Chadha was due to face either Ronnie O’Sullivan or Ross Muir on Tuesday so the winner of the match will receive a bye to the last 32.

Jones was due to face Luca Brecel on Monday so Brecel receives a bye to the last 32.

Totten was due to play Judd Trump in a first round heldover match, so Totten is replaced by the highest available player from the Q School top up list, Mark Lloyd.

But those who are there, including Ronnie, were made to feel welcome by the fans today