Reigning Welsh Open champion Selby stunned in opening round by world number 81 Jiang

Four-time world champion Selby has been one of this season's standout performers having claimed the UK Championship in December and completing a Championship League Invitational three-peat earlier this month.

And everything was going according to the form book early on as the world number seven made breaks of 123 and 137 either side of his opponent's effort of 77 in establishing a 2-1 lead.

But 20-year-old Jiang - who defeated Florian Nuessle and Oliver Lines in qualifying a few weeks ago to reach this main draw - closed the gap to within one after the help of a 52, and then recovered from 56 points down in frame six with a run of 65 to force an unlikely decider.

He needed a few chances to get it done in the final frame, but the Chinese cueist managed to record one of the most significant results of his young career and set up a late 32 meeting with fellow countryman Yuan Sijun.

Having turned professional in 2023, Jiang is enjoying his best top flight season to date having reached his maiden ranking event quarter-final at the Scottish Open last December. He also made the last 16 of the International Championship.

Yuan also had to battle back from behind as he recovered from 2-0 and 3-2 deficits in ousting Belgian youngster Julien Leclercq, 4-3. Both players made a century during the last 64 tie.

Welsh players keep on course to end years of hurt at home professional event

A Welsh player has not been to the final of this long-running tournament since 2003, and the last time the title was won by home cueist was even further back than that in 1999.

On both those counts, Mark Williams was the hero, and the three-time world champion might be on track to end all those years of pain. The world number four registered runs of 56 and 64 in getting past Michael Holt, 4-2.

But Williams wasn't the only home star to advance on the opening day at the Venue Cymru as the other Welsh exponents in action also continued their quest for the top prize of £100,000 and The Ray Reardon Trophy.

Former World Championship runner-up Jak Jones - who has been recovering from a broken hand over the past several weeks - crafted efforts of 62 and 92 as he defeated Liam Highfield, 4-1, during the morning session.

On the other feature table, 24-year-old Dylan Emery (70 break) came back from 2-0 and 3-2 behind to pip former Scottish Open champion Lei Peifan to reach the last 32 of a ranking event for the ninth time in his career. However, during his next outing in North Wales, he will be aiming to reach the last 16 of a tournament for the first time.

To view the full draw, results, schedule, and other information from the 2026 Welsh Open, visit here.