The defending champion John Higgins lost 1–4 against Michael White in the last 16.

[1] Playing Barry Pinches in the first round, Ronnie O'Sullivan declined the opportunity to make a maximum break, describing the £10,000 prize money on offer as "too cheap".

World Snooker chairman Barry Hearn called O'Sullivan's actions "unacceptable" and "disrespectful".

[2] Ding Junhui made the 117th official maximum break in the sixth frame of his quarter-final against Neil Robertson.

The "rolling 147 prize" for a maximum break was £10,000 (2nd ranking event since it was last won, £5,000 added for each ranking event) 128 players started the tournament with 12 tables in the arena in the early stages.