Chinese ace Chang goes on scoring blitz to qualify for China Open in super quick time

Chinese ace Chang once again proved why he is one of professional snooker’s hottest properties as he racked up eight half-century breaks before finishing off with three figures in a speedy 6-1 final qualifying round victory over Jack Lisowski on Sunday at the Mattioli Arena in Leicester.

The 23-year-old - who returned to the World Snooker Tour last season - books himself a spot alongside the world’s top 16 at the televised stages of the revived China Open which take place in Taiyuan City between August 8-16.

Despite making a 58 in the opening frame, though, it was world number 17 Lisowski - the highest ranked player at this week's qualifying rounds - who opened his account first.

However, it would be the only frame that the reigning Northern Ireland Open champion won, as Chang strung together a six-frame winning streak featuring breaks of (made 58 in frame one) 50, 79, 69, 63, 51, 83 and 78 before finishing in style with a 132.

Many pundits are predicting a big campaign for Chang off the back of a very memorable last season on the top-flight.

Chang compiled his maiden maximum 147 break at the UK Championship qualifiers, and a few weeks later he reached his maiden ranking event final at the Scottish Open, although he was denied the title by Chris Wakelin.

In the new year at the Welsh Open, Chang received a standing ovation after conjuring up one of the most outstanding displays you’re ever likely to see in a best-of-seven when he made four century breaks and ended with a 100% pot success rate in a 4-0 whitewash win over Shaun Murphy.

At the World Championship qualifiers several weeks later, Chang constructed another 147, which pocketed him a £147,000 special bonus prize. He didn’t make the Crucible, but he did finish the season 48th in the world rankings, an incredible effort after just the first year of a tour card.

Six Chinese cueists book berths for home event

Chang will be joined several fellow countrymen on home soil in Taiyuan, including ranking event winner Zhang Anda who progressed from Sunday’s morning session in Leicester.

Yao Pengcheng is somewhat a surprise qualifier having navigated three rounds at the Mattioli.

After eliminating 12-times world women's champion Reanne Evans and reigning World Open champion Thepchaiya Un-Nooh, Yao - who ended last season as the world number 101 - defeated compatriot He Guoqiang 6-2 at the final hurdle.

Competing in his second season as a professional, Yao compiled five half-centuries during his latest win, and - unless he gets drawn out and loses in the wildcard round in Taiyuan - he can look forward to being in the last 32 of a ranking event for the second time in his career.

In total, six of the eight qualifiers from the late afternoon session were Chinese. Liu Hongyu whitewashed Iulian Boiko 6-0, and Pang Junxu defeated compatriot Fan Zhengyi 6-4, despite Fan recording two breaks of 116.

Jiang Jun settled into his match against Jimmy Robertson nice and early with a run of 112. The 20-year-old went on to secure a 6-4 win.

Zhou Yuelong was locked 3-3 with non-tour card holder Chen Ruifu before piecing together a three-frame burst with breaks of 60, 137 and 83 to advance.

There could have been seven Chinese victors from the session, but David Gilbert saw off Xu Si, 6-2.

The Republic of Ireland’s number one Aaron Hill created an impressive comeback to deny three-time ranking event winner Gary Wilson.

World number 24 Wilson was in firm control as he built a 4-0 lead, but after the mid-session interval, youngster Hill made contributions of 50, 54 and 73 to get in the game.

Wilson got to five first, but Hill took the final three frames, finishing with an 86, for a 6-5 victory to qualify.

The China Open has returned to the professional circuit for the first time since 2019, and is set to be the richest snooker event ever held in the Far East with a prize fund of over £1.2 million; £250,000 of that going to the champion.

To view the full draw, results, schedule, and other information from the 2026 China Open qualifiers, visit our tournament information centre here.