Snooker English Open Last 16 Revealed: Three Chinese Champions Eliminated, Wu Yize Gets Favorable Draw, Ding Junhui Must Guard Against Upsets

On September 10, 2026, Beijing time, the English Open round of 32 to 16 matches concluded. A total of 12 Chinese players had successfully advanced to the last 32, but their performances in this round brought mixed results. In the match between Chang Bingyu and Kyren Wilson, the two battled all the way to a deciding frame, with Chang Bingyu eventually eliminated. The snooker last-16 lineup has now been confirmed, but disappointingly, three former young champions have all been knocked out. It is worth noting that Wu Yize has a relatively favorable draw, while Ding Junhui needs to be prepared for potential upsets.

Chang Bingyu performed impressively at the Wuhan Open, defeating Zhao Xintong to win the title and becoming the first player to defeat Zhao in a final. However, in the following English Open, he lost to Jack Jones, and before this round he had advanced automatically due to his opponent's withdrawal. Against Jack Jones, Chang Bingyu once led 2-1, but was then overtaken to trail 2-3. After the match was tied at 3-3, Chang eventually lost the deciding frame 56-67 and stopped at the last 16. Both players were below their best in the contest, with Jack Jones making one 50-plus break and Chang's highest break only reaching 42.

Former International Championship winner Zhang Anda had a similar experience against Selby. Zhang also fell from a 2-1 lead into a 2-3 deficit and narrowly lost in the deciding frame. Although he produced two century breaks and one 50-plus break during the match, he was unable to complete the comeback. Another former European Masters champion, Fan Zhengyi, also suffered a reversal against McGill, turning a 1-0 lead into a 1-4 defeat, with his highest break in the match only 40. Eighteen-year-old Wang Xinbo also found himself 0-3 down against Liam Davies. Although he fought back to win one frame, he eventually lost 1-4.

In addition, Xu Si lost 2-4 to Wu Yize in an all-Chinese matchup, while Luo Zetao took an early lead before losing four consecutive frames and exiting the last 32 with a 1-4 scoreline. Ding Junhui performed strongly in a tough match, defeating Hugh Gilmour 4-2. Zhou Yuelong eliminated Wakelin 4-3, while Yuan Sijun and Pang Junxu both advanced with narrow 4-3 victories over their opponents.

In the last-16 stage, Ding Junhui will face O'Connor, while Selby will meet Jack Jones. If Ding Junhui reaches the quarter-finals, he could face a challenge from either Selby or Jack Jones, making it important for him to first secure a win over O'Connor. Zhou Yuelong will play Yuan Sijun, while Gong Chenzhi will face Captain Carter. If Gong Chenzhi can eliminate Carter, the Chinese team will guarantee a place in the semi-finals. In the other half of the draw, Trump, McGill, Pang Junxu and Murphy are also involved in a highly competitive battle.

Six world champions, including Selby, Jack Jones, Trump, Murphy, Marco Fu and Wu Yize, have reached the last 16. Ding Junhui failed to break through the quarter-finals last season; how far can he go this time? What are your views?