The 2022 UK Championship draw has been whittled down to just 16, with second-round action on the schedule for Wednesday and Thursday in York.
This year’s edition of the prestigious ranking event got under way with the qualifying phase more than a week ago.
But the first-round proper began on Saturday at the Barbican Centre, and there have already been several unexpected results.
Almost half of the top 16 seeds who qualified automatically for the venue stages have exited the competition at their opening hurdle.
Arguably the most notable casualty so far was Neil Robertson, who would have been on many people’s radar to challenge for a fourth UK crown.
The Australian lost convincingly to Joe Perry, while there were defeats elsewhere for fellow multiple UK champions John Higgins, Mark Selby, and Mark Williams.
Yan Bingtao’s 6-5 reverse to Zhou Yuelong leaves him in a tantalising position in the provisional world rankings list – just about holding onto a place in the top 16 and a Masters berth as things stand.
Barry Hawkins and defending champion Zhao Xintong also crashed out after respective losses against Ding Junhui and Sam Craigie.
Ding may technically be a qualifier, but as a three-time UK champion he knows precisely what it takes to go all the way in this tournament.
The Chinese former world number one is looking in much more confident form this season and will fancy his chances against Williams’ conqueror Jamie Clarke.
In the same section is Ronnie O’Sullivan who, despite spewing the repeated ramble of his lack of enthusiasm for the sport, is in fine form.
The Rocket will continue his bid for a third title of the campaign so far when he takes on China’s Zhou.
Last year’s runner-up Luca Brecel is in the bottom half too, with the Belgian Bullet tasked with the upcoming challenge of Tom Ford.
There’s plenty of experience in the other fixture from this quarter as Stuart Bingham tackles fellow Englishman Joe Perry.
Meanwhile, Judd Trump features in the top half of the UK Championship draw, with the 2011 champion next entertaining 2008 winner Shaun Murphy.
Trump and Murphy both survived titanic 6-5 tussles in the first round on Tuesday, with the latter back in fist-pumping mood during his victory against David Gilbert.
Trump’s pal Jack Lisowski is in the same quarter, with the Englishman continuing his bid for a long overdue maiden ranking title against Hossein Vafaei.
- CLICK HERE: Hossein Vafaei – ‘I like being under pressure’
One of the ties of the second round sees Mark Allen up against Kyren Wilson in what is a repeat of the 2018 Masters final.
Both players have etched their names onto silverware this term, with Allen winning the Northern Ireland Open and Wilson triumphing in the European Masters.
Elsewhere, Sam Craigie’s reward for knocking out Chinese number one Zhao is a date with British Open champion Ryan Day.
Draw and Schedule
Last 16
Sam Craigie vs Ryan Day (16)
(Wednesday 16th, 7pm)
Mark Allen (9) vs Kyren Wilson (8)
(Wednesday 16th, 7pm)
Hossein Vafaei vs Jack Lisowski (12)
(Thursday 17th, 7pm)
Shaun Murphy (13) vs Judd Trump (4)
(Thursday 17th, 1pm)
Joe Perry vs Stuart Bingham (14)
(Thursday 17th, 7pm)
Luca Brecel (11) vs Tom Ford
(Wednesday 16th, 1pm)
Jamie Clarke vs Ding Junhui
(Thursday 17th, 1pm)
Zhou Yuelong vs Ronnie O’Sullivan (2)
(Wednesday 16th, 1pm)
The quarter-finals are on the 18th, the semi-finals take place on the 19th, and the final is on Sunday, November 20th.
Where to Watch the UK Championship
The full 2022 UK Championship schedule will be available to watch on Eurosport and discovery+ across Europe, with viewers in the UK and Ireland also able to enjoy coverage from the BBC.
Other options are available around the world, with more information on those global networks available over on the World Snooker Tour website.
Featured photo credit: WST
