Northern Ireland Open carnage as world no.1 Zhao Xintong crashes out and only three top 16 stars progress

The last 64 stage - the first round to be held at the Waterfront Hall - was completed on Tuesday, and world number one Zhao Xintong was the latest big star name to be sent packing from the £550,400 world ranking event.

Last year’s World Champion Zhao was in control early on of his match against Chinese compatriot Gao Yang, starting in style with breaks of 129 and 64 in establishing a 2-0 lead.

But world number 75 Gao - who had to navigate two qualifying round matches a few weeks ago to reach these televised stages - compiled runs of 71, 112 and 71 again in a four-frame streak to record arguably the highest profile professional win of his career, so far. The 22-year-old will face David Gilbert in the last 32 on Wednesday.

Zhao’s name was added to a long list of top 16 casualties in the opening round of the main draw. Defeat for the six-time ranking event winner represented back-to-back first round exits on the World Snooker Tour after losing on home soil at the recent Shenzhen Open, and consecutive opening eliminations at the Waterfront after bowing out to Jordan Brown at this same stage last year.

Earlier in the same afternoon session, home hero Mark Allen made his competitive snooker return after a five-month absence due to personal reasons but was visibly distressed and suggested retirement after his 4-2 loss to fellow Antrim cueist Jordan Brown.

In the morning session, three-time World Champion Mark Williams recovered from 2-1 down to deny Robbie Williams, 4-2.

Winner of The Alex Higgins Trophy in 2017, Williams was only one of three top 16 exponents to make it into the last 32. John Higgins and Kyren Wilson were the other two.

In the remaining first round ties completed on Tuesday, there was an exciting finish to the contest between Chang Bingyu and Ryan Day.

Qualifier Day crafted efforts of 108 and 82 en route to a 3-0 lead, but Wuhan Open champion Chang replied with a three-frame sequence of his own, making a 91 in frame six to force the contest all the way.

In the decider, Chang held the cards with a 55-point lead, but after missing a red, four-time ranking event winner Day produced a brilliant counter clearance to pink of 63 to score a 4-3 victory.

A quarter-finalist in Shenzhen earlier this month, Michael Holt continued his fine run of results with a 4-1 win over Zhou Yuelong, meanwhile in an all-Thai affair, Noppon Saengkham (128, frame one) ousted Thanawat Tirapongpaiboon, 4-3.

Northern Ireland Open title holder Jack Lisowski exits competition

Reigning champion Jack Lisowski's title defence is over at the second hurdle after being dismissed by Anthony McGill, 4-1.

The last 32 began in the evening session, and two-time ranking event winner McGill advanced with breaks of 74, 61 and 73.

The first cueist into the last 16 was the winner of this crown from two years ago, Kyren Wilson, who was in brilliant scoring form as he saw off Thepchaiya Un-Nooh, 4-2. 'The Warrior' racked up contributions of 92, 139, 84 and 103.

Second season professional Mateusz Baranowski (100 break) scored the biggest win of his top-flight career as he pipped Wang Xinbo, 4-3, to reach the last 16 of a ranking tournament for the first time.

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