A friend of mine once described snooker as being akin to heroin, in that it makes you feel really languid and relaxed, but it’s also intensely moreish – many an afternoon has been whiled away watching the snooker play out on the TV. Granted, the security around the Motorpoint Arena will likely make sure that heroin does not find itself in common usage around the forthcoming Welsh Open, but snooker addicts can still get a fix.
Going into the current Welsh Open, it’s hard to pick a particular favourite, especially as the draw has yet to be made at time of writing. The winner of the 2017 edition, Stuart Bingham, is serving a six-month suspension for betting on snooker matches, including those which he was a part of. The ever-entertaining and erratic Ronnie O’Sullivan seems increasingly to regard the sport with bored disdain, like a chef numbed to the taste of good food through spending too much time obsessing over the stove (or even, to keep the analogy running, like a junkie returning for another fix only because their body tells them to).
O’Sullivan has spoken of likely missing the World Championships at the end of April this year, although a rather drab second-round finish last year may give him some impetus to actually have a go this year. Perhaps John Higgins can use the opportunity to take back a championship for which he holds the highest amount of wins, jointly with O’Sullivan, providing the Scotsman with a chance to draw ahead. With that said, the recent winner of the Masters Championship, Northern Irishman Mark Allen, is surely the leader of the pack, going into the Welsh Open hoping to continue building momentum for the World Championships.
With 124 players set to battle it out in the Motorpoint Arena, now hosting this event for the third time since it moved there from Newport in 2015, the Welsh Open is sure to be a great opiate for fans of the baize.
Motorpoint Arena Cardiff, Fri 26 Feb-Sun 4 Mar. Tickets: from £8. Info: 029 2022 4488 / www.motorpointarenacardiff.co.uk
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Reference: https://uk.mansionbet.com/sports/darts/.