Ronnie O'Sullivan amongst big names to suffer day one defeat at Shenzhen Open

Seven-times World Snooker Champion O'Sullivan's wait for a record-extending 42nd ranking title continues as he was eliminated by world number 64 Jiang Jun on Monday at the Bao’an Sports Centre in the new £850,000 tournament.

Facing each other on the professional circuit for the first time, it was 21-year-old Chinese cueist Jiang who delivered an early blow, pinching the opening frame on the final black with a 37 clearance after his opponent had chances to claim it. The unorthodox left-hander then doubled his lead with a 73 in frame two.

O'Sullivan - whose latest ranking accolade arrived in January 2024, and his last on Chinese soil came in November 2017 - got on the scoreboard in frame three courtesy of a 92, and levelled up heading into the mid-session interval following a run of 52 in the fourth.

However, on resumption, O’Sullivan scored just 41 points as Jiang strung together three consecutive frames, wrapping up a memorable 5-2 victory with an effort of 108. The two-time ranking event quarter-finalist will meet Zak Surety in the last 32.

Last month, O’Sullivan did make the semi-finals of the Wuhan Open where he was dispatched by eventual title winner Chang Bingyu. The 50-year-old - who has been very self-critical about his game in recent months - has been struggling for consistency for some time now. O’Sullivan is still capable of producing his signature moments, but recently went back-to-back seasons without lifting a professional trophy for the first time in his career.

World number one Zhao Xintong out of his home event

O'Sullivan was not the only big name to leave the festivities on the opening day in the Far East, though, as world number one Zhao Xintong was stunned by Scott Donaldson.

Playing in his home city of Shenzhen, 2025 World Champion Zhao twice trailed early on to his opponent, but breaks of 82 and 55 in frames either side of the mid-session interval helped him go 3-2 up.

Former Championship League Invitational title winner Donaldson - who struck a 77 in frame three - registered runs of 105 and 62 to go 4-3 up, and was in control of frame eight with a 50-point lead before Zhao coolly counter cleared with a 79 to keep his hopes alive and force the tie into a decider.

But it was world number 66 Donaldson who got the job done in the ninth and final frame in front of a huge and excitable partisan crowd who were rooting for his opponent.

Top seed Mark Williams also dismissed on day one in Shenzhen

During the opening session in Shenzhen, number one seed Mark Williams was seen off by Fan Zhengyi in dramatic fashion.

Williams - who won the Xi'an Grand Prix last season, the event this one replaced on the professional snooker calendar - crafted a 118 to make it 4-4. In the deciding frame he potted match ball pink, but watched in agony as the cue ball went in-off. With the penalty points he received, former European Masters winner Fan came to the table and sank the pink from distance to win 5-4.

There were no such concerns in navigating their opening assignments for Judd Trump or Neil Robertson, though.

Both players constructed a century break in their respective wins; Robertson defeated Liu Hongyu, 5-2, and Trump needed just 54 minutes to whitewash Huang Jiahao, 5-0.

Reigning Scottish Open champion Chris Wakelin compiled breaks of 133, 130 and 125 in consecutive frames during his 5-3 victory over the in-form Liam Davies, meanwhile Si Jiahui scored a 5-1 verdict over Oli Lines.

Andrew Higginson, Jamie Clarke, Sam Craigie and Marco Fu all overcame wildcard opponents to reach the round of 64.

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