(Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail)
Unibet British Open 2025: Top Seeds Shine on Day One in Cheltenham
The Unibet British Open 2025 got off to a strong start in Cheltenham, with top seeds and former champions showing their class on the opening day. All eight current or former World Champions in action booked their place in the last 64, setting the stage for an exciting week ahead.
Trump Leads the Way
World number one Judd Trump delivered the standout performance, beating Aaron Hill 4-0 in just 53 minutes. His display included impressive breaks of 103, 101 and 60.
Speaking after the win, Trump said:
“I knew I had to raise my game. I’ve felt good this season, but the results haven’t quite come. Matches like this give you a boost.”
He now faces tour newcomer Leone Crowley on Wednesday.
Champions Progress Smoothly
-
Mark Selby, the defending champion, eased past David Grace 4-1.
-
Neil Robertson scored a century (104) in his 4-0 win over Alfie Davies.
-
John Higgins, last year’s runner-up, fought back from 3-1 down to beat Mark Davis 4-3 and will now face Jack Lisowski in a second-round highlight clash.
-
Current World Champion Zhao Xintong survived a tough test against amateur Ashley Hugill, edging through 4-3 with top breaks of 88 and 101.
-
Shaun Murphy advanced with a 4-1 win over Ross Muir, compiling a 71 break.
Big Breaks on Day One
-
Kyren Wilson set an early target for the £5,000 high break prize with a stunning 141 in his victory over Chris Wakelin.
-
Mark Williams closed out a 4-2 win against Si Jiahui, finishing in style with a 127 break.
Looking Ahead
The tournament at the Centaur Arena, Cheltenham, runs until Sunday, with top players battling for one of the season’s most prestigious titles.
