By elliott west
As I am writing this blog play has just started in Coventry with the first match being Martin Gould against Neil Robertson. The players have had to make a rapid dash from Yushan to Coventry to take part in this UK event and what a tournament it has become! A rehash of an event of yesteryear, first held in 1978 and 1980 and revived in 2013 by Matchroom Sport. The Champion of Champions is reserved for the all the winners of the previous seasons, plus we get to see Jimmy White play Ronnie O’Sullivan thanks to Jimmy’s great win in World Seniors in Sheffield against Darren Morgan.
The twelve times ladies’ champion Reanne Evans also makes an appearance against Sean Murphy thanks to her remarkable career on the female circuit. Reanne has just won the Ron Gross memorial event and is a player that has impressed me for sometime. Her tenacity despite the barriers put up against her and other female players in the sport is commendable.
Last year this tournament was won by Ronnie O’Sullivan when he was on a run of event wins when he beat Kyren Wilson, 10-9 in last year’s final. Going into this one the Essex lad has faired less well with poor runs in the English Open and the World Open, he may have been concentrating on this tournament as a potential win.
Ronnie will face tough competition especially from Judd Trump fresh from his win yesterday in Yushan, China. Judd is definitely the player to beat and based on his devastating dispatch of Thepchaiya Un-Nooh and his great wins in the International Championship and World Championship, the marker has been set at a very high level. With £440,000 in the prize fund and a cheque for £150,000 going to this year’s winner, this is rich pickings for any of the competing players.
All the players having won events last season, will make a significant difference to the standard of play over this the week’s long gathering and could be compared to the exclusive Masters played in January.
The highlight of this year’s tournament must be definitely be the early Christmas present of seeing Jimmy White play Ronnie O’Sullivan. This is a rare outing nowadays and when it happens it is special as most appearances are on the exhibition circuit.
Win or lose Jimmy is still a massive crowd puller and pleaser. He clearly still loves the game at 57 and puts in the hours of practice, definitely more than when he was at the top of the game. Perhaps Ronnie will be too much of a stumbling block but at least Jimmy can say he has once again competed with the best!
The tournament this year is an open field and anyone could win it. The talent on display is amazing and with the likes of Robertson, Murphy, Mark Allen and John Higgins taking part, any of them could lift the amazing trophy next Sunday.
This event is unique because it has a smaller audience and is very compact. The audience sit very close to the table and there is silence when it is required. Shown on ITV4, it does have massive support and will potentially create a new winner.
A mouthwatering draw and potentially some very exciting matches lay ahead.
