Judd Trump has endured a mixed start to the season and the English Open represents a good chance to really get his campaign going.

The world number five has just one quarter-final appearance in three ranking event appearances so far this term, at the China Championship, after falling in the second rounds of both the World Open and the European Masters. Trump missed the Riga Masters and Paul Hunter Classic, while he was also dumped out in the second round of the non-ranking Shanghai Masters event.

The 29-year-old looked in good form when downing Robin Hull 4-1 in his English Open first round match but may have to up his game against an improving Zhao Xintong in the second round.

Xintong is currently ranked as the world number 70 but could well be on the rise in the weeks ahead. The 21-year-old reached his first semi-final earlier this season in the China Championship, where he managed to overcome Anthony McGill, Barry Hawkins and world champion Mark Williams before falling to world number one Mark Selby 6-4.

The youngster is one of snooker’s rising stars but will need to be at the top of his game to see off Trump in a first ever meeting between the two.

Trump, who reached the final of the inaugural English Open two years ago, is the 1.40 favourite and can be backed at 5.50 to win 4-0. Xintong is 2.88 to come out on top or 4.00 with a -1.5 frames handicap.