Although the UK Open is many days in the rearview mirror, I spent several more days in London after attending, so this is my first chance to share some of my thoughts on the event.
I attended the 2022 UK Open, as well, and it was a fine event held back a bit by an inadequate setup towards the back of the venue, where conditions were uncomfortable and a bit damp. In 2023, this was corrected, as the back section of the venue was closed off by a set of doors, so that was a very good start.
Entry fees were just $250 and most of the international players to whom I spoke shared bed and breakfast locations nearby, keeping lodging expenses relatively modest. The field quality was superb, and even some of the giants of the game were unable to reach the Stage 2 last 64, among them Ouschan, Kazakis and JL Chang. As for beginning single elimination with 64 players, it is not what I prefer. I feel playing down to 16 and then beginning single elimination delivers a more elite Stage 2 that is more exciting to watch. That said, the Stage 2 with 64 players format seems to be more and more in vogue.
The equipment was super-tight and even elite players were missing more balls than usual. Still, it was a fitting test for cueists as elite as these and it helped one appreciate just how straight the top guys shoot. The corner pockets were tight, but most of the players I chatted with liked them. The side pockets were crazy-tight, and in the eyes of a few players with whom I spoke, too tight.
After four days to bring the field down to 16, the fifth day was contested exclusively on three side by side tables in the arena and the tables were positioned so that you could watch all the matches at once. The sixth day was contested on the center arena table, and you could sense the excitement.
The level of play was amazing. Both Ko brothers and Skyler Woodward showed great form, but two guys were notably better than everyone else all week, namely Filler and Kaci. Each had a dominating win in his semifinal and the final looked like a toss-up between two giants of the game.
Kaci’s play in the 13-4 final suffocated Filler, who had only one good offensive chance in the last nine racks. In the post-match interview, Filler really laid it on thick in complimenting Kaci for his wonderful play. Josh, graciously and amusingly, called himself “a first-row spectator” in the final.
The inaugural Jayson Shaw Junior Championship was fantastic, and I watched several of the junior matches. The best few juniors were exceptional cueists and have a bright future. Jayson Shaw was a great host of the event, and many top pros went out of their way to meet and, in some cases, practice with the juniors, offering a truly memorable experience for the participants.
Lest we forget, Matchroom staged the SVB Junior Championship during the 2022 US Open 9-ball and has announced that it will stage a similar junior event in conjunction with the upcoming Spanish Open. Matchroom is really stepping up to the plate in giving the most elite juniors another platform in which to exhibit and develop their skills.
In the interest of full disclosure, there were two things that could have been better. Spectator chairs on the outer tables were of poor quality. Also, there was nowhere for the players to place their cues on the outer tables. Most of them chose to rest their cues against the all-metal player chairs but cues were often falling to the ground, which was a shame.
To sum, at the UK Open, Matchroom improved the venue, improved the equipment, had low entry fees and added a junior event to the proceedings. Matchroom’s production values on the front tables were very high, and Emily Frazer and her team managed the proceedings with their usual effectiveness.
What is not to love about Matchroom? They continue to add events, and their enduring commitment to improving every event they produce is always on full display. Thanks, Matchroom!
I attended the 2022 UK Open, as well, and it was a fine event held back a bit by an inadequate setup towards the back of the venue, where conditions were uncomfortable and a bit damp. In 2023, this was corrected, as the back section of the venue was closed off by a set of doors, so that was a very good start.
Entry fees were just $250 and most of the international players to whom I spoke shared bed and breakfast locations nearby, keeping lodging expenses relatively modest. The field quality was superb, and even some of the giants of the game were unable to reach the Stage 2 last 64, among them Ouschan, Kazakis and JL Chang. As for beginning single elimination with 64 players, it is not what I prefer. I feel playing down to 16 and then beginning single elimination delivers a more elite Stage 2 that is more exciting to watch. That said, the Stage 2 with 64 players format seems to be more and more in vogue.
The equipment was super-tight and even elite players were missing more balls than usual. Still, it was a fitting test for cueists as elite as these and it helped one appreciate just how straight the top guys shoot. The corner pockets were tight, but most of the players I chatted with liked them. The side pockets were crazy-tight, and in the eyes of a few players with whom I spoke, too tight.
After four days to bring the field down to 16, the fifth day was contested exclusively on three side by side tables in the arena and the tables were positioned so that you could watch all the matches at once. The sixth day was contested on the center arena table, and you could sense the excitement.
The level of play was amazing. Both Ko brothers and Skyler Woodward showed great form, but two guys were notably better than everyone else all week, namely Filler and Kaci. Each had a dominating win in his semifinal and the final looked like a toss-up between two giants of the game.
Kaci’s play in the 13-4 final suffocated Filler, who had only one good offensive chance in the last nine racks. In the post-match interview, Filler really laid it on thick in complimenting Kaci for his wonderful play. Josh, graciously and amusingly, called himself “a first-row spectator” in the final.
The inaugural Jayson Shaw Junior Championship was fantastic, and I watched several of the junior matches. The best few juniors were exceptional cueists and have a bright future. Jayson Shaw was a great host of the event, and many top pros went out of their way to meet and, in some cases, practice with the juniors, offering a truly memorable experience for the participants.
Lest we forget, Matchroom staged the SVB Junior Championship during the 2022 US Open 9-ball and has announced that it will stage a similar junior event in conjunction with the upcoming Spanish Open. Matchroom is really stepping up to the plate in giving the most elite juniors another platform in which to exhibit and develop their skills.
In the interest of full disclosure, there were two things that could have been better. Spectator chairs on the outer tables were of poor quality. Also, there was nowhere for the players to place their cues on the outer tables. Most of them chose to rest their cues against the all-metal player chairs but cues were often falling to the ground, which was a shame.
To sum, at the UK Open, Matchroom improved the venue, improved the equipment, had low entry fees and added a junior event to the proceedings. Matchroom’s production values on the front tables were very high, and Emily Frazer and her team managed the proceedings with their usual effectiveness.
What is not to love about Matchroom? They continue to add events, and their enduring commitment to improving every event they produce is always on full display. Thanks, Matchroom!
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