World Open third round line-up set as Zhao and Trump progress in Yushan

The vast majority of big star names in action on day two of the televised stages in the Far East progressed, although reigning champion John Higgins - playing his record 2,000th professional match - did not, as he was denied in a deciding frame by English teenager Stan Moody in a clash of green baize generations.

World number one Judd Trump - winner of this title in 2019 and 2024 - kept his hopes alive of a World Open hat-trick as he registered runs of 116 and 101 in a 5-1 victory over Florian Nuessle. Trump has dropped only two frames from his two matches, so far.

Reigning world champion Zhao Xintong negotiated his opening assignment on Monday via whitewash, but was pushed all the way by Chinese compatriot Long Zehuang in his latest outing.

Despite fashioning breaks of 95, 92, 93, 139 and 129, Zhao needed a deciding frame to oust Long, who himself racked up a trio of efforts over 75 in the high-scoring affair.

Kyren Wilson top scored with a break of 115 during a 5-2 win against Lyu Haotian. The world number two has claimed two big invitational titles this season at the Shanghai Masters and Masters, but has not appeared in a ranking event semi-final this term.

A winner of four ranking crowns last season, it has left 2024 World Champion Wilson struggling on the one-year list, and as a result he missed out on defending the Players Championship title last month in Telford. ‘The Warrior’ needs to win this week’s tournament in order to make the cut for the upcoming Tour Championship in Manchester, other wise his next engagement on the World Snooker Tour will be the Crucible.

Mark Allen gave his hopes of qualifying for the Tour Championship a big boost as he recovered from 2-0 down to dispatch Antoni Kowalski, 5-2; Polish cueman Kowalski made a 128 in the opening frame.

Former world number one Allen has very fond memories of this event - he won his maiden ranking title in it in 2012, and then successfully defended the accolade twelve months later.

In a clash of two young Chinese hot properties, International Championship winner Wu Yize strung together four frames in-a-row from 3-1 down to defeat Scottish Open finalist Chang Bingyu, wrapping up proceedings with a ton (102).

China’s number two Xiao Guodong was involved in an incredible spectacle with young Belgian cueist Julien Leclercq.

Back-to-back Wuhan Open champion Xiao started the tie like a train, constructing runs of 127, 125 and 105 before Leclercq struck three-figures of his own (132) just before the mid-session interval. On resumption, Xiao went on to complete a 5-2 success with the help of breaks of 63 and 87.

Marco Fu - who dismissed Ding Junhui in the qualifying round held in England a few weeks ago - got the better of Ukrainian youngster Iulian Boiko (118) 5-3, totting up runs of 84, 57, 107, 63 and 75.

Former Welsh Open finalist Martin O’Donnell highlighted a 5-3 triumph over 2016 winner of this title Ali Carter with a 133 in the final frame.

Three-time ranking event winner Gary Wilson recovered from two down with three to play to pip Aaron Hill, 5-4.

Irish youngster Hill led 2-0 (breaks of 68, 78) before Wilson restored parity (136, 81). After the interval, Hill re-established a two-frame cushion after runs of 116 and 57, but Wilson battled back, making a 106 in frame seven before taking a close eighth to force a decider which he won for the verdict.

Jackson Page (136 break), Zhang Anda, Mark Williams and Sam Craigie were Tuesday’s other winners.

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