ALOYSIUS YAPP: “I BELIEVE ASIA IS GOING TO DOMINATE”
Singaporean sharpshooter Aloysius Yapp spoke out on his preparation and ambition ahead of the UK Open Pool Championship 2026.
Aloysius Yapp heads to the UK Open in Brentwood with a whole different status compared to last year.
He returns this time with a bounty on his head as the title defender after defeating Jonas Souto 13-1 in the final in Telford last May.
The Triple Crown winner, the UK Open is just one of three major championships he collected last year after winning the Florida Open and the US Open later in 2025. But Aloysius Yapp surely will not rest on his laurels.
Yapp said: “It's a new event anyway, it's always a new tournament, even though I won it last year. Everyone's playing really well, so I know I have to stay focused and just do my best and really just hope luck is on my side.”
He is not wrong when he calls this year’s UK Open a brand new event. The major championship heads down south to Brentwood, less than an hour away from the hustle and bustle of London.
Not only that, this year’s tournament will feature a brand new set of balls with the Dynaspheres Titan Series, which can become a serious test for the players’ adaptability
“The condition of the tables is good, the cloth is nice, it's really smooth. The new balls also play pretty good, so I'm quite excited for tomorrow,” Yapp said. “My preparation has been okay. I played the Scottish Open last week, I got to the quarterfinals, so I feel pretty good.”
The former Reyes Cup MVP begins his title-defending quest on the main TV table against Andrew Olivero from the UK.
When asked if he sets his eyes on any opponent, the reigning champion remains humble and focused. He said: “So many, it's hard for me to name, but at the end of the day, for me, I'm just focused on my own game.
“That's all I'm going to do. It doesn't matter who I play, I just hope to do my best and give them a good match.”
In the practice session today, Yapp shares the table with 2024 UK Open Champion Robbie Capito and reigning Premier League Pool winner Duong Quoc Hoang.
Three of Asia's finest sharing a practice table is a sight to behold. And Yapp always has nothing but great words for his friends.
“They're both great players. Asia has so many great talents,” he praises. “It's also really nice to see Hoang Sao finally winning his first big Invitational event. It's the start. I believe Asia is going to dominate [the Reyes Cup] again.”
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