Neil Robertson to ditch equipment experiment after shock English Open loss

Just hours after Jak Jones lifted The Clive Everton Trophy at the climax of the 2026 British Open in Cheltenham, the next stop on the World Snooker Tour roadshow was breaking off at the Brentwood Centre - the opening Home Nations Series of the season.

Winner of this title two years ago, Neil Robertson was sent packing by rookie professional Luo Zetao, 4-3, in the afternoon session.

A 25-year-old from China, Luo had to navigate two qualifying round matches to reach these televised stages. In the biggest match of his fledgling top-flight career, he compiled a break of 112 to go 3-2 up and stand on the brink of victory.

World number four Robertson forced a decider, but it was Luo who took the final frame on the colours to record a big upset and reach the last 32 of a ranking tournament for the first time.

Cue issue is the “final straw” says Robertson after defeat

Defeat for Robertson represents back-to-back first round eliminations on the circuit having lost to Pang Junxu at last week's British Open.

In a post-match interview with TNT Sports, Robertson said he has now made the decision to go back to using a brass ferrule after not getting the results he wanted by trying a titanium one.

"Got a lot of equipment issues. All season I've been struggling with different ferrules, different tips and I think that's the final straw really” the 44-year-old said.

"Switching to the titanium ferrule which I have been persevering with for 18 months - I've got no control with tight control of the cueball, and various shots you've got to guess too much.

"Yeah, so we'll be going back to the brass ferrule...there's just too many things you miss out on. Like Ronnie's gone back to it, Judd's gone back to it, Selby's gone back to it, so there's a pattern there.

"I'll be going back to the brass ferrule and I'm sure you'll start seeing the best of me because, can't really play snooker like that.”

World number one Zhao Xintong exits on opening day in Brentwood

In the evening session, there was another surprise result as world number one Zhao Xintong was defeated by Oli Lines, 4-2.

World number 54 Lines twice went a frame ahead but on each occasion Zhao responded with a century break (102, 100) to level up.

However, Englishman Lines strung together consecutive frames at the end along with a 71 and an 84 to record one of his most memorable victories.

Zhao collects no ranking points having lost his opening match, but he is guaranteed to remain at the top of the global standings following the conclusion of this event due to having more than £125,000 between himself and second-placed Mark Selby.

Elsewhere in Essex on day one, top 16 stars Chris Wakelin and Ding Junhui came through deciding frame finishes against Louis Heathcote and Michael Holt, respectively.

Kyren Wilson - who is projected to fall outside the world's top 16 later this season - notched up a 4-1 win over Poland's Mateusz Baranowski. The 2024 World Champion will face newly-minted Wuhan Open champion Chang Bingyu in a blockbuster last 32 tie on Wednesday.

In arguably the match of the day, Yuan Sijun posted runs of 67, 64, 71 and 100 as he saw off Tom Ford, 4-2, who himself made breaks of 96 and 71.

World number 17 Zhang Anda (v Zak Surety) struck a trio of half-centuries, and six-time ranking event winner Ali Carter (v Jackson Page) fashioned a ton as both cueists progressed with 4-1 wins.

Si Jiahui's difficult spell on the World Snooker Tour continues as he was dispatched by Robbie Williams, 4-1. Fellow seeds Jimmy Robertson (lost 4-3 to Gong Chenzhi) and Elliot Slessor (lost 4-3 to Ashley Hugill) followed him out the exit door.

Last year’s runner-up Zhou Yuelong was within a few shots of going out, but he took the final three frames from 3-1 down to oust teenager Stan Moody, 4-3.

Joe O’Connor registered the only 4-0 whitewash win of the day, against Florian Nuessle.

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