UK Open 2019 preview & schedule: Quarter-finals

It feels like just yesterday that the UK Open began. Actually, it was two days ago. In that time we've seen some magical moments. There was Dimitri van den Bergh and Kirk Shepherd's . And...some other, less amazing stuff. The quarter-finals are very finely poised, not least because James Wade's exit means that a name name will be etched into UK Open history. One of these players will lift the title for the first time and, with play entering the final day in Minehead, they will all feel like victory is within reach. Statistically, Rob Cross is the favourite. He's the world number two, and one of just three players to have won a major. The 2018 world champion has been quietly excellent, disposing of Darren Webster, Mervyn King and Cristo Reyes without undue fuss. Josh Payne is, by contrast, a complete rookie. In his first major quarter-final, the pressure will weigh heavily on the Gravesend ace's bulky shoulders. Wins over Jamie Lewis and Simon Whitlock have provided the momentum, but he'll need a new level to cause another shock.

Michael Smith has been flitting between the oche and the hospital, but is still within reach of his first major title. It remains to be seen whether his affliction will hinder his considerable chances of taking the trophy. It didn't prevent him from seeing off Daryl Gurney and Jermaine Wattimena. Steve Beaton, conqueror of defending champion Gary Anderson, has won his games by holding throw, grinding down opponents and snatching up chances. It could help the Bronzed Adonis to topple Smith, who is prone to being rattled in high-pressure moments.
Gerwyn Price, on current form, is the most likely player to become the 2019 UK Open champion. He was world class against Jamie Hughes, and that form continued into a battering of Krzysztof Ratajski. He'll want to keep up that same intensity against the surprise package of the tournament. Simon Stevenson dumped out Raymond van Barneveld, disposed of Kim Huybrechts and battled past Dave Chisnall. It's often said that the Plymouth man's major record belies the talent he has. Now's the time to show it. All eyes will be on Price for this one. Breaking a mirror means seven years of bad luck; breaking a Mirror Man would mean a major semi-final.

Major semi-finals might become a bit of habit for Nathan Aspinall if he keeps playing like this. The Asp reached the final four at the World Championship. And here he is again, adding the scalp of Steve Lennon to that of Madars Razma to make it to the quarter-finals. He will feel like the favourite against Ross Smith; that alone, on the final day of a major, is remarkable. Smith doesn't deserve to be written off. Most assumed James Wade would progress, but Smudger wiped out the Machine and is now on his best major run by far. There's no reason that the fairytale needs to end here.
The four winners will reconvene on Sunday evening for the semi-finals. Come Sunday night, we'll know the identity of the first major winner of 2019. Anything could happen. But let's be honest - it won't beat Kirk Shepherd's dancing.
Click here for more information about the UK Open including the schedule, prize fund breakdown, TV coverage and format.

Rob Cross v Josh Payne Michael Smith v Steve Beaton Simon Stevenson v Gerwyn Price Nathan Aspinall v Ross Smith