Top Seeds Join 2025 English Open as Tournament Enters Crucial Stage

The 2025 English Open continues on Monday as the top seeds enter the competition at the Brentwood Centre. Following four days of preliminary matches, the field has been reduced to 64 players, setting the stage for a series of high-stakes encounters.

Reigning champion Neil Robertson will open his title defence on Tuesday against Sunny Akani. World No. 1 Judd Trump meets Michael Holt, while world champion Zhao Xintong takes on Ishpreet Singh Chadha in the same session.

Monday’s action will see World No. 2 Kyren Wilson, Chinese superstar Ding Junhui, and veteran Mark Williams begin their campaigns against Robbie Williams, Liam Pullen, and Amir Sarkhosh, respectively.

Other compelling matchups include an in-form Marco Fu against Ali Carter, and Stephen Maguire—winner of this season’s Championship League—facing Aaron Hill, who recently made a historic 147 break.

Although several former champions such as Luca Brecel and Anthony McGill have advanced, notable absentees include Ronnie O’Sullivan and John Higgins, who opted out of this year’s event.