2026 English Open sees big names advance after early tournament shocks

After several shock results across the opening televised sessions of the £550,400 world ranking event, the star names struck back with nine of the world’s top 16 advancing to the round of 32.

On Monday, we saw the eliminations of both Neil Robertson, and world number one Zhao Xintong, and two more top 16 cueists joined them through the exit door early on Tuesday.

World number 11 Xiao Guodong was ousted 4-3 by Ross Muir, and world number 16 Jack Lisowski was defeated 4-2 by Fan Zhengyi; the former European Masters champion top scoring with an effort of 111.

However, reigning World Champion Wu Yize - runner-up here two years ago - progressed at the first Home Nations Series stop of the season as he registered runs of 59, 81, 87 and 104 in a 4-1 victory over Chinese compatriot Gao Yang.

It has not been a great start to the new term for the current Crucible king having yet to record back-to-back wins within the same ranking event, but this week represents a great opportunity to remedy that.

Mark Selby returns to action after British Open final loss

Two of snooker's all-time greats navigated deciding frame finishes to keep their hopes alive of lifting The Steve Davis Trophy this Sunday.

Mark Selby - who was competing in the 2026 British Open final less than 48 hours before - took the final two frames to squeeze past Ricky Walden, 4-3, in a tie where both players fashioned a century break.

Meanwhile, Mark Williams shaded Thailand's Thanawat Tirapongpaiboon by the same narrow scoreline.

All three of the top 16 stars playing in the evening session won, including Judd Trump who posted contributions of 87 and 68 in a 4-0 whitewash verdict against Jordan Brown. Both Trump and Selby are aiming for a record third English Open title.

Shaun Murphy (who made a 115 during his outing) and Barry Hawkins both sent in 4-2 winning result cards against Artemijs Zizins and Lyu Haotian, respectively.

Since claiming the biggest accolade of his career at the World Open in March - where he compiled a maximum 147 break during his final success over Ronnie O’Sullivan - Thepchaiya Un-Nooh was won just two matches on the World Snooker Tour.

His frustrating sequence of results continued, as teenage rookie Wang Xinbo constructed a break of 123 in a 4-2 win over him.

More qualifiers denied seed opponents: Ashley Carty (defeated Lei Peifan 4-3), Matthew Selt (def. Hossein Vafaei 4-1), Jamie Clarke (def. David Gilbert 4-3) and Daniel Wells (def. Gary Wilson 4-2).

Chinese duo Xu Si and Pang Junxu completed their assignments, but needed all seven frames in order to do so.

Xu got the better of Aaron Hill, and Pang denied recent Crucible qualifier Antoni Kowalski in an encounter where the players traded tons.

The final round of 64 outcome was logged at well past midnight, and it was a 4-3 win for qualifier Anthony McGill over former World Champion Stuart Bingham.

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