The crown signing table was announced: Rocket Zhao Xintong is likely to compete for the first place in the group, Xiao Special welcomes the best opportunity for revenge, and 4 groups fight.
Mark World No. 9 Mark Allen successfully defended China's Zhou Yuelong in the Northern Ireland Open final and took the last bus to the invitational title. World No. 6 Mark Williams is sadly missing out on qualifying for the last spot.
According to the latest news from the World Taiwan Federation, the draw for this tournament has been completed, and the match between 16 players has been clear. Chinese tiger Yan Bingtao, as a seeded player, did not win any championships, so like Ding Junhui, he is not eligible for invitation. Zhao Xintong, who won both the German Masters and the British Championships, and Fan Zhengyi, who won the European Masters, were the only two Chinese players invited. The former will face Thailand's Wan Harutai at 9pm on November 3, while the latter will face world No. 2 Neil Robertson at the same time on November 1, but it will not be easy to create an upset in this kind of tie-break of more than 5.
This tournament is the same format as in previous years. The 16 contestants were divided into four groups. A group stage is played on the day, and the four group champions form the semi-final lineup. Mark Selby is in the same group as Higgins, and they need to win two rookie veteran champions Walker and limited-time champion Wafi in the opener, respectively. Neil Robertson is in the same group as Shinko European champion Kyren Wilson, and their two first-round opponents are slightly more difficult than the previous group. They are Fan Zhengyi and British Open champion Ryan Day.
Trump's rivals in Allen's group are the toughest of the four. They are British Championship runners-up and Scottish champion Luca Brecel and Welsh Open champion Joe Perry. Little Te waits for the bald head, Allen against veteran Joe Perry.
The team of Rocket and Zhao Xintong is the easiest group to pass in this event. O'Sullivan plays Gibraltar champion Milkins. Prior to 2018, not counting the 2011 limited-time semifinals, the two sides met eight times, and the Rockets won all of them by sweep. This confrontation is more like a sub-topic for him. Zhao Xintong's first-round opponent, Wangharutai, also seems to have a hard time stopping his progress. Therefore, it is a sure thing that the two fast gunners of Rocket and Zhao Xintong will compete for the right to qualify for the group.
According to the results of the draw, overall, it is almost impossible for the eight seeded players to make it through the first round collectively, and the only variable is whether Allen and Xiaote can withstand the attack of their respective opponents. If qualified, Xiaote will face Allen again after half a month, and it is interesting that he lost to Allen in the previous British Open, which is a chance for revenge.