Trump whitewashes Selby as Shenzhen semi-final line-up is set

Judd Trump produced a commanding 5-0 victory over Mark Selby to reach the semi-finals of the 2026 Shenzhen Open.

Trump will now face reigning world champion Wu Yize, who held his nerve to edge Shaun Murphy 5-4 in a dramatic deciding frame. It sets up a fascinating semi-final between two of the sport’s leading players.

In the other half of the draw, Yuan Sijun beat Michael Holt 5-2 to secure his place in the last four. He will meet Jimmy Robertson, who advanced with a 5-3 win over Chris Wakelin.

The semi-finals take place on Saturday, with the best-of-19-frame final following on Sunday.

Sources and further coverage: the official World Snooker Tour match centre and TNT Sports’ Shenzhen Open results and schedule.

Ding Junhui and John Higgins exit Shenzhen Open in deciders

Ding Junhui and John Higgins both bowed out of the 2026 Shenzhen Open in deciding-frame defeats as the tournament’s dramatic opening rounds continued.

Ricky Walden recovered from 2-0 down against Ding, compiling two centuries as he moved 3-2 ahead. Ding responded to lead 4-3, but Walden edged a tense eighth frame 68-63 before scoring 69 unanswered points in the decider to complete a 5-4 victory. Walden will face Ali Carter next.

David Grace also produced a memorable 5-4 win over four-time world champion Higgins. Grace turned a 2-0 deficit into a 4-2 lead with breaks of 60, 64, 93 and 68. Higgins, who made centuries of 116 and 101, forced the decider before a closing break of 60 gave Grace his first win over the Scot in six meetings. His reward is a last-32 match against Stephen Maguire.

Sources and further coverage: the official World Snooker Tour day-two update, plus TNT Sports reports on Walden’s victory over Ding and Grace’s win against Higgins.

Jiang Jun stuns Ronnie O’Sullivan at Shenzhen Open

Jiang Jun produced the biggest result of his career so far by defeating Ronnie O’Sullivan 5-2 on the opening day of the 2026 Shenzhen Open.

The 21-year-old Chinese player moved 2-0 ahead before O’Sullivan levelled the match going into the interval. Jiang then took control, winning the next three frames and completing the victory with a century break. He will face Zak Surety in the last 32.

It was a day filled with surprises in Shenzhen. World number one Zhao Xintong lost 5-4 to Scott Donaldson, while defending champion Mark Williams was edged out 5-4 by Fan Zhengyi.

Sources and further coverage: TNT Sports opening-day report and the official World Snooker Tour match centre.

Aaron Busuttil makes history with Q Tour title

Aaron Busuttil has made Maltese snooker history by becoming the first player from his country to win a WPBSA Q Tour event.

The 35-year-old defeated England’s Edward Jones 4-0 in the final of Q Tour Europe Event Two in Sofia. Busuttil came through seven matches to claim the title, having never previously progressed beyond the last 16 at a Q Tour event.

It is a landmark result for Malta and a major step forward for Busuttil on a tour which provides an important route toward earning professional status.

Sources and further reading: World Snooker Tour and SnookerHQ.

Jimmy White secures International Championship place

Jimmy White has earned his place at the 2026 International Championship after a dramatic 6-5 qualifying victory over Matthew Stevens in Leicester.

White moved 5-2 ahead with the help of a century break, but Stevens responded with breaks of 121 and 72 to force a deciding frame. The 64-year-old White then held firm in the decider to book his trip to the tournament’s main stage in Nanjing.

It is another impressive result for the ever-popular Whirlwind and further proof that he remains capable of competing on the professional tour.

Source and further reading: TNT Sports match report.

Ali Carter wins the 2026 English Open

Ali Carter is the 2026 English Open champion after defeating Mark Williams 9-6 in the final at Brentwood.

Williams led 5-3 after the afternoon session, but Carter turned the match around in impressive fashion. He won six of the final seven frames, completing the victory with a break of 54 to secure his first English Open title.

It was a composed comeback against one of the sport’s most experienced competitors and a memorable addition to Carter’s ranking-title record.

Sources and further coverage: RTÉ Sport match report and official World Snooker Tour video coverage.