Competition to become snooker's first world champions since 1996 promised to be fierce - and so far it's proved emphatically the case.
With three days down, six nations remain unbeaten.
Wales, England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, China and Australia have all won their opening two matches - but something has got to give.
When Pakistan beat Republic of Ireland on the opening day, it looked as if we could be in store for a fair few shocks along the way. But it hasn't exactly happened like that. Despite some impressive displays from some of the lesser nations, on the whole, the fancied countries have found a way to win. There doesn't look like there's going too many, if any, huge shocks in the quarter-final line-up with the big guns mostly coming through.
So far, with little to choose between the title favourites, this leads me to think it could be team spirit and player compatibility that decides the destiny of the trophy. Welsh dragons Mark Williams and Matthew Stevens showed that more than anyone else today as they began their doubles match holding hands in their seats.
While it was of a course a joke, it's great to see the tournament played in such great spirit. I haven't been able to watch as much of the action as I'd like, but what I have seen, has been enjoyable. It's been easy to dip in and out of and a welcomed change of atmosphere than that which surrounds the normal ranking events.
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