Extraordinary opening to Xi'an Grand Prix as star names win and two 147 maximum breaks are made

There was plenty of star power on show at the Qujiang Athletic Centre on Tuesday, including world number one Judd Trump who fashioned the ninth 147 of his professional career during a 5-2 victory against Ng On Yee.

Three-time world women's champion On Yee took the opening frame with a run of 74 before Trump levelled with an effort of exactly 100.

The Englishman went on to lead 3-1 at the mid-session interval before he slotted home 15 reds, 15 blacks and all the colours in frame five. On Yee prolonged the tie, but Trump got the job done in the seventh frame to set up a last 64 meeting with former UK and Masters champion Matthew Stevens.

Speaking to the World Snooker Tour shortly afterwards, Trump talked about the staggering recent run of maximum breaks saying he was surprised, but that it was now snooker’s “new normal”.

And within a few hours of that interview, Aaron Hill fashioned the 13th 147 of the season in the second frame of his 5-2 win over Huang Jiahao in the round of 64. He also made a 104 during the encounter.

Only a few weeks ago, Ireland’s number one Hill crafted his maiden top flight maximum at the British Open, and now he has two.

The record number of 147s in a single professional term is 15 - set last season - so surely that benchmark will be smashed.

The calendar year record for maximums has already been obliterated. A total of 14 was set in 2024; amazingly 22 have already been notched up in 2025 with several tournaments still to come.

Xi’an title holder Kyren Wilson begins with comfortable win

Reigning champion Kyren Wilson got his title defence underway with a 5-1 success over Haris Tahir, top scoring with a 103.

Elsewhere in round one, world number three Neil Robertson dropped the opening frame to rookie Leone Crowley but strung together the next five to progress.

Teenage wildcard Xinbo Wang showed his potential with a run of 132 but he was eliminated by Chinese compatriot, world champion Zhao Xintong, 5-2.

Mark Williams, Ding Junhui and Gary Wilson all won, and the latter two will return on Wednesday for last 64 assignments. Recent Wuhan Open runner-up Wilson struck breaks of 123 and 144 in consecutive frames as he wrapped up a 5-0 whitewash victory.

However, there was a shock as world number 15 Chris Wakelin was eliminated by wildcard Zhang Hao, 5-3.

Ronnie O’Sullivan returns to action with clean sweep win

Seven-time world champion Ronnie O’Sullivan serenely moved into the next round after a 5-0 dismissal of youngster Iulian Boiko.

His first appearance on the World Snooker Tour in over seven weeks since being ousted by Robertson in the Saudi Arabia Masters final , ‘The Rocket’ - who was playing in his 1,000th ranking event match - registered runs of 107 and 112.

Next up for O’Sullivan in the round of 64 is rookie Yao Pengcheng on Wednesday from 12:30BST.

Around the tables in the last 64, Elliot Slessor (132, 117), He Guoqiang (135, 128) and Stephen Maguire (102, 131) each racked up a duo of century breaks in their victories.

Playing his first match since the disappointment of being denied his maiden ranking title at the English Open in a deciding frame, Zhou Yuelong also scored multiple tons - 112 and 109 - as he defeated four-time ranking event winner Ryan Day, 5-2.

A quarter-finalist at the recent British Open, Louis Heathcote whitewashed Jackson Page, 5-0. English youngster Liam Pullen also made it through to the last 32, as did David Lilley, Jak Jones, Thepchaiya Un-Nooh, Lyu Haotian, Noppon Saengkham and former world champion Stuart Bingham after wins on Tuesday.

Visit our 2025 Xi’an Grand Prix tournament information centre here for details on the draw, results, prize money, schedule and how to watch.