English Open Quarterfinal Draw Revealed: Ding Junhui Faces Kyren Wilson, Zhou Yuelong Takes on Carter; Head-to-Head Records Reviewed

After Pang Junxu lost 3-4 to Murphy in a crucial match and missed out on qualification, the quarterfinal lineup of the 2026 English Open has been finalized. Among the six Chinese players in this round, only Ding Junhui and Zhou Yuelong advanced, while Wu Yize, Yuan Sijun, Gong Chenzhi and Pang Junxu were eliminated.

Looking at the quarterfinal lineup, players ranked inside the world top 16 performed strongly. Only Wu Yize produced an upset, while the other five players advanced comfortably, showing the competitiveness of the elite players. The tournament will now move into the quarterfinal stage, with the first match scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. tonight.

The quarterfinals will use a best-of-nine format, with two matches taking place in each session. According to the schedule, Ding Junhui will face Kyren Wilson and Zhou Yuelong will play Carter first tonight, while Trump meets Murphy and Williams faces Liam Davies at 2 a.m. The four matches feature both classic encounters and potential surprises from rising contenders.

Ding Junhui vs Kyren Wilson

The clash between Ding Junhui and Kyren Wilson is highly anticipated because the two players have met many times and are familiar rivals. Historically, Ding has been at a slight disadvantage, winning only eight of their 18 meetings. However, the record alone does not fully describe their rivalry.

Looking back at their encounters, a key moment came at the 2022 Turkish Masters, when Ding defeated Wilson 5-3 before suffering four consecutive defeats afterward.

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They met again in the quarterfinals of the 2024 International Championship, where Ding ended his losing streak with a 6-4 victory and went on to win the event. Their next meeting at the 2025 Tour Championship saw Ding win 10-5, further strengthening his comeback momentum.

Overall, Ding's style has often been described by fans as unpredictable: he can defeat top players but can also unexpectedly lose to lower-ranked opponents. The rematch with Kyren Wilson remains uncertain. Wilson is highly consistent, but Ding has comprehensive skills and strong resilience, meaning the result will depend on their performance on the day.

Zhou Yuelong vs Carter: Youthful Energy Against Veteran Experience

Next comes the match between Zhou Yuelong and Carter. The two players have met nine times, with Zhou holding a slightly inferior record of four wins and five losses. However, Zhou has won their last two meetings, including a 5-4 victory over Carter at the 2026 World Grand Prix and a 4-1 win at the 2023 English Open.

Compared with Ding Junhui, Zhou still has room to improve in mentality and experience, especially as pressure at key moments can lead to mistakes. However, for this quarterfinal, Zhou appears more relaxed in terms of both ranking and current form. He is currently ranked No. 18 in the world, slightly ahead of Carter at No. 25.

If he can maintain a stable performance, Zhou has a strong chance of defeating Carter and advancing further. He has previously reached ranking event finals four times, making another step forward in this tournament a realistic possibility.

Trump vs Murphy: A Super Showdown

The match between Trump and Murphy is undoubtedly one of the highlights of the quarterfinals. As representatives of the sport's elite, their meetings often produce exciting moments. In their head-to-head record, Trump leads 33-14 from 47 matches, with a winning rate of 70%, showing his advantage against Murphy.

Interestingly, Murphy defeated Trump 4-3 at the 2025 British Open, ending Trump's previous eight-match winning streak. However, Trump responded with victories in their next two meetings, including a 10-4 win in the 2026 German Masters final and a 10-9 victory in the Tour Championship quarterfinals. Murphy has now lost his last two matches against Trump, and another defeat would put him on another losing run.

Trump has been in consistent form with a varied playing style, while Murphy can also produce outstanding performances but has sometimes struggled to maintain consistency in major events. Trump appears to have the advantage heading into this match.

Williams vs Liam Davies: Can the Dark Horse Strike Again?

The final quarterfinal features Williams against Liam Davies. In terms of experience and achievements, Williams has a clear advantage. The legendary player, one of the 'Class of 75' trio, has won the World Championship three times. Young Liam Davies has emerged as a surprise contender this season, defeating several top players including Wu Yize, Ding Junhui and Hawkins to make a strong impression.

Their only previous meeting saw Williams defeat Davies 5-3 in the first round of the 2025 Wuhan Open. However, Davies has shown clear development after years of progress, and with his run of upsets this season, this match may not be without suspense.

The four quarterfinal matches are about to begin, and the competition is expected to become even more intense. Can Ding Junhui maintain his previous success against Wilson? Can Zhou Yuelong overcome mental pressure and achieve another strong result? Can Murphy and Davies produce upsets? The players who reach the semifinals will be worth watching.