Snooker fans flock to Essex for the English Open

Elsie Booth hailed the atmosphere at the Brentwood Centre on Monday

Snooker fans have travelled from far and wide to watch the game's finest players compete in the English Open.

The tournament heated up on Monday as seeded players joined the fight for its £100,000 jackpot.

World champion Zhao Xintong and title holder Neil Robertson are among the big names battling it out at the Brentwood Centre until Sunday.

But what do the people visiting Essex for the competition think of the venue?

Xianghao Xiao was excited to meet three-time UK champion Ding Junhui

University student Xianghao Xiao was delighted to meet his fellow Chinese compatriot and three-time UK champion Ding Junhui.

"It's fantastic for me," said the 24-year-old, who grabbed a selfie with Junhui. "He's very famous in China.

"Today is the first time I've seen him in person, so it's very exciting."

Kumar Kuppusamy said being in Brentwood was a "nice experience"

It was also the first match Kumar Kuppusamy, 26, had watched in the UK.

He said: "It was a nice experience for me."

World number 33 Matthew Selt, from Chelmsford, progressed into the next round after winning his first tie on Monday.

Also among the victors was Barry Hawkins, who saw off Louis Heathcote.

Chris Lamb, 65, travelled from south London to watch Hawkins, who he sponsored as a relative unknown.

"It's a good venue to watch snooker," he said of the Brentwood Centre.

The tournament started on Thursday, but seeded players entered the fray on Monday

It was Elsie Booth's first time in Essex, travelling east from Bristol to watch the action.

"I heard Brentwood was a nice place," the 24-year-old said. "So it's a nice occasion to come down for and it's a good atmosphere."

Among those making the noise was Neil Mortimer, 31, who bagged himself a front-row ticket and also managed to meet Junhui.

"His mentality on and off the table is so relaxing and peaceful," said the east Londoner.

"It was really great to ask him a few questions and he was so welcoming to us."

Faisal Labban also got to meet Ding Junhui

His friend from the US, Faisal Labban, added: "To be able to see Ding in person, meet with him, take a picture and watch him get a century – it's pretty cool."

It was a much shorter journey for Basildon boy Stuart Bingham, who came down ahead of his opener on Tuesday.

The 2018 champion said it took him 27 minutes to get to Brentwood.

"It's nice to commute back home, see the kids, see the dog and have a normal life," he added.