The English Open continued to throw up surprises as the 2024 tournament went into its final three days at the Brentwood Centre.
Friday’s first quarter-final saw last year’s winner and current world number one Judd Trump knocked out of the competition by Wu Yize of China, who booked a place in the first semi-final of his career with a 5-3 victory.
And England’s Chris Wakelin saw off Northern Irishman Mark Allen – presently the world number three – when he won by five frames to two, and clearly felt he had earned the right to be in the final four.
Chris Wakelin
“It’s been really tough”, said Wakelin after the match.
“Every round I’ve played a really difficult opponent, but that’s the nature of life on tour these days.
“In all honesty, I’m still never going to be fancied against any of the top 16 players in other peoples’ eyes, but I know my game is so much stronger than a lot of people probably think.”
The evening session brought an impressive performance by Neil Robertson, as the Australian booked his place in the last four when he beat Barry Hawkins 5-1.
And in the last quarter-final to finish, there was an epic late show from Mark Selby and Ishpreet Singh Chadha.
The latter got off to a storming start against the ‘Jester from Leicester’, winning his first three frames, but Selby was determined to reduce the deficit, and it was eventually 4-4.
But just as Selby looked poised to complete his comeback, world number 77 Singh Chadha potted the blue, pink and black to secure a final break of 41 and force his way into the semi-final of a ranking event for the first time in his career.
The rank outisder from India – supported throughout by his mother, who was in the audience – seemed calm and assured throughout the match even when things weren’t in his favour.
And he revealed afterwards how his experience as a professional gamer has helped him adapt to playing snooker for a living.
“It was a team game, (with) five players in a team, so you’ve got to think about your team-mates when you’re playing….so I think some qualities from gaming have really helped me in snooker.
“When I’m playing well I really handle pressure”.
The first of Saturday’s semi-finals saw Singh Chadha take on Wu Yize, who was clearly in confident mood after his dispatching of Trump at the previous stage and the young Chinese sensation completely outplayed his opponent, winning all six frames played.
The evening session saw Wakelin face Robertson, the most successful non-British snooker player to date who won at least one professional tournament every year between 2005 and 2022 – including a world championship in 2010.
And ‘Robbo’ was on top form, as he secured a place in the 37th ranking final of his career, and his first one for over two years since he edged out John Higgins to win 2022’s Tour Championship.
Neil Robertson
Speaking after his five frames to one victory – having conceded just five frames in as many matches in Brentwood – it’s was clear that he feels he is on his way back to his best form.
“I’ve really developed a lot of things during the last couple of months, working really hard on certain things”, he said.
“The conditions have been really tough this week, as many of the players have said, (but) I’m not complaining about it, I’ve just got on with it.
Robertson played Wu Yize in last year’s world championship, and despite his 20-year-old final opponent not having been in a major final before, the Australian is fully aware that he can’t take anything for granted.
“I said after I played him in the world championship that he has a mega future ahead if he keeps improving and is really disciplined with practice and everything like that, and it’s proved to be the case.
“He’s already made a semi-final or two…. he’s had some really good wins this week as well.”
