Welsh Open snooker lands in Newport once again and BBC Wales and British Eurosport will provide extensive coverage.
This year’s tournament has a brand new format with all 128 players, including established stars like Ronnie O’Sullivan, Judd Trump, John Higgins and Mark Selby, starting in the same round.
This has been the arrangement for all major ranking events this season following its introduction by World Snooker to give lower ranked players the chance to compete for points against the best in the world.
With up to four tables in play, BBC Wales and British Eurosport’s televised coverage will second round action gets underway on Monday, February 24, where 64 players will still be in the running for coveted trophy.
The tournament is four days longer than usual and fans will have the chance to see many more players in action, with a multi-table layout at the Newport Centre in the early stages.
Total prize money has increased from £250,000 to £300,000, with the winner to receive £60,000 instead of £50,000.
Last year’s final was a gripping battle as Stephen Maguire edged out Stuart Bingham 9-8 in a dramatic deciding frame.
With the likes of three-time Masters champion and former world number one Mark Selby expected to travel to Newport, the Welsh Open is likely to be one of the most exciting of the season.
Other names also expected to feature are recent Masters champion Ronnie O’Sullivan, former UK champion Judd Trump, the legendary John Higgins, Welsh home favourite Mark Williams as well as last year’s winner Stephen Maguire.
All matches up to and include the last-16 will be best of seven frames, the quarter-finals – best of nine frames, the semi-finals – best of 11 frames and the final – best of 17 frames.
This will also be the last Welsh Open to held at the Newport Centre after World Snooker chairman Barry Hearn recently announced and that he would open negotiations to move the event to a larger venue, most likely in Cardiff.
Live scores, daily reports and interviews during the 2014 Welsh Open can be found via the official World Snooker website.
BBC Wales is once again the host broadcaster for the event and will have live coverage of all the key action from the last 64 stage onwards on BBC Two Wales and online, starting on Monday, February 24.
Ashleigh Crowter introduces live coverage from the Newport Centre thoughout the week, which includes daily afternoon and evening coverage, plus nightly highlights.
Viewers nationwide will be able to follow all the live action from BBC Wales throughout the week via BBC Red Button.
In addition, full coverage of each day’s play via the BBC Sport website on PCs, laptops and mobiles, as well as via internet-connected TVs.
Commentary and studio analysis comes from Terry Griffiths, Darren Morgan, Dominic Dale and Willie Thorne.
British Eurosport will have full live coverage of the 2013 Welsh Open, including action from every session via its two channels.
Eurosport’s commentary team includes Mike Smith, Mike Hallett, David Hendon and former World Champion Joe Johnson.
Click here for full details of British Eurosport’s live TV schedule for the 2014 Welsh Open.
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