The tournament's reigning champion Matthew Stevens led the 2001 Welsh Open runner-up Paul Hunter 2–0 and then 5–4 before a break of 74 from Hunter forced a final frame decider. Hunter secured the 42-minute final frame for a 6–5 victory to end a match that lasted almost three hours and earn his first win at the arena. World number 13 Dave Harold overturned a 2–1 deficit to world number one John Higgins with breaks of 86.
The reigning champion Matthew Stevens dominated the 2001 Welsh Open runner-up Paul Hunter 2–0 and then 5–4 before a lengthy break from Hunter led to a final frame showdown. Hunter ultimately secured the 42-minute final frame for a 6–5 victory, ending a nearly three-hour match and securing his first win at the arena. Meanwhile, world number 13 Dave Harold staged an incredible comeback against world number one John Higgins, overcoming a 2–1 deficit with breaks of 86.