Stepney Green snooker ace Sean O’Sullivan is relishing the opportunity of pitting his wits against top world-ranked Ryan Day and Judd Trump.

The 29-year-old potter is hoping to cause a few shocks in his first-round ties as he faces world number 16 Day as he begins the defence of his Cazoo British Open title at Cheltenham Racecourse.

The task gets even bigger next Monday (October 2) when he plays world number four Trump, the 2019 world champion, in the BetVictor English Open closer to home at Brentwood Centre.

O’Sullivan is currently ranked 82 in the world and battling to retain his spot on the prestigious World Snooker Tour circuit.

Despite completing a maximum 147 break during his 5-2 loss to eventual BetVictor European Masters winner Barry Hawkins in July at the KIA Metropol Arena, in Nuremburg, Germany, O’Sullivan has not had a single win so far in his 2023-24 campaign.

But he is hoping to string decent runs together at upcoming tournaments and needs to start winning immediately in a bid to renew his two-year tour card by the end of next May.

If he does manage to claim the scalps of Day and Trump it will kickstart his season and turn around the fortunes of the former Tower Hamlets-based Bishop Challoner Catholic School pupil.

“I always enjoy playing the top players,” said O’Sullivan.

“Obviously it means you will have to play near your very best if you want to win, but the standard is so good now throughout the tour that every match is like that regardless.

“It does usually mean you’re going to be on one of the main tables either on TV or at least in front of a good crowd which is what we all want to be doing, so I’m looking forward to that.

“As for the BetVictor English Open, it’s a local event and I’ll have some friends and family coming to watch in Brentwood, so that will be nice!”

The BetVictor English Open takes place on October 2 and 8 at Brentwood Centre, Brentwood and for ticket log on to: wst.tv.