Home hero Jordan Brown recalls on fond memories as he whitewashes world champion on opening day in Belfast

Reigning world champion Zhao Xintong was one of those in action but his stay in the capital turned out to be a very short one as he was dismissed by home hero Jordan Brown, 4-0.

Their first meeting on the top flight, Antrim's Brown kept Zhao cold throughout large spells of the encounter as he moved through to the last 32 of an event for the first time this season.

In a post-match interview with the World Snooker Tour, 38-year-old Brown said he drew upon memories of his victory over another high-profile peer at the Waterfront, Neil Robertson, from a couple of years ago.

The former Welsh Open champion will now look to reach the last 16 of his home professional tournament for the first time; Brown previously made the last 32 in 2022 and 2023.

As for Crucible conqueror Zhao, his disappointing season continues, although he is still struggling with illness and has admitted to finding it difficult to fully focus whilst at the table.

The 28-year-old from China, who created history earlier this year when he became Asia's first world professional snooker champion, has yet to make a quarter-final from six ranking event appearances this term, so far.

Next up for Brown is Ashley Hugill who defeated Noppon Saengkham, 4-2.

Englishman Hugill doesn't currently hold a professional tour card having been relegated from the top tier a couple of seasons ago, but the 31-year-old has been invited to several pro tournaments this season as a top-up due to his performances at Q School a few months ago.

Selby stays on course for unique Home Nations record

Mark Selby would be the first player to complete the Home Nations Series 'Full House' if he lifts The Alex Higgins Trophy for the first time next Sunday, and the four-time world champion got his campaign underway with a 4-1 win over Ian Burns.

Selby has just the Northern Ireland Open left on his bingo card to dab out having won the English, Scottish, and Welsh Open titles in recent years. The 42-year-old top scored with a break of 129 as he got past Burns.

With recent Xi'an Grand Prix winner Mark Williams, and world number three Robertson both having withdrawn from Selby's half of the draw earlier this week, Selby is an even stronger contender for the Belfast accolade and £100,000 top prize.

Australian Robertson was also in line for another shot to complete the four-pronged Home Nations set but pulled out as he recovers from illness.

Trump on track for record-extending fifth Northern Ireland Open crown

Judd Trump has had a less than ideal start to the season - leading to seven-time world champion Stephen Hendry labelling these as “worrying times” for Trump - but the world number one progressed to the round of 32 after a 4-2 victory over an in-form Anthony McGill.

Record four-time winner of this title, and runner-up to Kyren Wilson last year, Trump registered runs of 62, 68, 67 and 82 as he got past recent British Open finalist McGill, who threatened forcing the match into a deciding frame.

Trump will face Jackson Page next in a tasty encounter - the 24-year-old Welshman dispatched Steven Hallworth, 4-0.

Jack Lisowski (112 break) also posted a clean sweep win over Haris Tahir, as did John Higgins (84, 95 and 61) against Louis Heathcote.

Elsewhere at the Waterfront on day one, runner-up there two years ago Chris Wakelin eliminated rookie Lan Yuhao, 4-1.

A finalist at last season's English and Scottish Opens, Chinese youngster Wu Yize is looking for another deep run at a Home Nations stop, and it might be here after he ousted Scott Donaldson, 4-3.

Wu’s compatriots Pang Junxu and He Guoqiang join him in the next round as they navigated Robbie Williams (4-1) and David Gilbert (4-2) respectively.

Ben Woollaston got the better of Hossein Vafaei, 4-2.

Visit our tournament information centre here for details on the 2025 Northern Ireland Open including the draw, results, schedule and how to watch.