English Open Snooker 2025 | Last 16 Preview and Order of Play

Mark Selby aims to boost his bid for a first title of the season when he faces Wu Yize in the English Open last 16 on Thursday.

We are rapidly approaching the business end of the first Home Nations event of this season at the Brentwood Centre, where four former World champions and a further three ranking event winners remain.

Selby enjoyed a relatively successful 2024-25 campaign, winning the British Open and Welsh Open as well as the Championship League invitational.

The Jester, who has dropped just a single frame in his two matches this week, is now in with a shout at completing a hat-trick of titles at the English Open, where he was previously triumphed in 2019 and 2022.

However, the four-time World champion faces a tricky test in a player aiming to go one better after reaching last year’s final in Yize.

Judd Trump is another two-time English Open winner that has conceded just one frame so far in Essex.

The world number one bids to build on his promising start to the tournament against Elliot Slessor, who whitewashed North East rival Gary Wilson on Wednesday, while Ding Junhui faces Mark Allen in another mouth-watering clash.

Shaun Murphy is seeking an immediate return to the top 16 after recently dropping out of WST’s elite bracket for the first time in just under 20 years.

Next up for the Magician is what promises to be an exciting attacking clash with Jackson Page, who is fresh from dethroning reigning champion Neil Robertson.

Barry Hawkins – the other remaining top-16 player in the draw – locks horns with former Northern Ireland Open finalist Zhou Yuelong, with former Crucible runner-up Jak Jones taking on three-time ranking event winner Ricky Walden.

Luca Brecel appears to be hitting form after a difficult couple of years since becoming World champion in 2023. The Bullet goes up against Robbie Williams, who stunned 2024 Crucible king Kyren Wilson earlier this week.

Meanwhile, Jack Lisowski is fresh from beating reigning World champion Zhao Xintong. The six-time ranking finalist plays Aaron Hill, who has endured a tale of two maximum breaks this week.

The Irishman compiled a 147 during his second-round match against Yao Pengcheng, though his £5,000 high break prize was split in half as he watched Ali Carter produce one against him in their last-32 showdown. Yet, Hill did have the last word, recovering from 3-1 down to prevail in a decider.

Play gets under way at 1pm BST on Thursday with all matches contested over the best of seven frames at the Brentwood Centre in Essex.

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English Open 2025 Schedule of Play

Thursday September 18

Last 16

1pm
Zhou Yuelong v Barry Hawkins
Judd Trump v Elliot Slessor

2pm
Luca Brecel v Robbie Williams
Jackson Page v Shaun Murphy

7pm
Mark Allen v Ding Junhui
Wu Yize v Mark Selby

8pm
Ricky Walden v Jak Jones
Aaron Hill v Jack Lisowski