O'Sullivan, Trump, and Xintong Shine in World Snooker Open Round of 16
Synopsis
In an exciting day at the World Snooker Open, O'Sullivan, Trump, and Zhao Xintong all secured spots in the last 16 with impressive victories. Meanwhile, defending champion Higgins faced a surprising exit, setting the stage for thrilling upcoming matches.
Key Takeaways
O'Sullivan exhibits dominant form, winning 5-0.
Trump impressively defeats his opponent 5-2.
Zhao Xintong opens with a century break of 100.
John Higgins faces a shocking early exit.
Younger players like Stan Moody are making their mark.
Nanchang (China), March 18 (NationPress) Ronnie O'Sullivan, Judd Trump, and Zhao Xintong have successfully progressed to the last 16 of the World Snooker Open taking place in Yushan, located in the Jiangxi Province of southern China, on Wednesday after securing decisive wins.
The seven-time world champion, O'Sullivan, dominated his match against fellow English player Matthew Selt, winning all five frames with a score of 5-0. He showcased his exceptional skills with a remarkable break of 138 in just nine minutes during the second frame.
"I’m determined to win the entire match," O'Sullivan stated in his post-match remarks. "I've felt great throughout my first two matches, and I intend to maintain this momentum and keep winning."
World's top-ranked player, Judd Trump, also performed impressively, overcoming Jackson Page from Wales with a score of 5-2, as reported by Xinhua.
The reigning world champion, Zhao Xintong of China, started strongly with a century break of 100, eventually winning 5-1 against Sam Craigie from England.
In additional matches featuring previous world champions, Shaun Murphy triumphed over Xu Si 5-1, Stuart Bingham narrowly defeated Wu Yize 5-4, Kyren Wilson overwhelmed Allan Taylor 5-1, while Mark Williams lost 5-2 to Hossein Vafaei.
Interestingly, the defending champion John Higgins faced an unexpected first-round elimination. The four-time world champion was narrowly beaten 5-4 by 19-year-old Stan Moody from Britain, who has made headlines after reaching the quarterfinals of the current season's Wuhan Open by defeating notable players like Ding Junhui and Zhou Yuelong.
Moody, ranked 47th globally, took command early with precise long-potting and solid cueing, establishing a 4-1 lead after the initial five frames.
Higgins, however, adjusted his strategy in the sixth frame, capitalizing on his opportunities at the table and clinching three consecutive frames, including a stunning break of 135 in the seventh frame, leveling the match at 4-4 and forcing a decider.
Ultimately, in the final frame, Moody seized upon a critical error by Higgins, executing a match-winning break of 65, concluding the frame at 65-15 and securing his advancement to the last 32.
World No. 1 Trump defeated Florian Nuessle from Austria 5-1 in the afternoon session. The highly touted Chinese talent Zhao Xintong also triumphed over Long Zehuang with a score of 5-4 in the evening session to continue his journey in the tournament.
Point of View
I observe that the World Snooker Open continues to deliver thrilling matches and unexpected twists, especially with the surprising performance of young talents like Stan Moody. The tournament is shaping up to be a showcase of both established champions and emerging players.
NationPress
20 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who advanced to the last 16 in the World Snooker Open?
Ronnie O'Sullivan, Judd Trump, and Zhao Xintong all advanced to the last 16 with comfortable victories.
What was the score of O'Sullivan's match?
O'Sullivan won his match against Matthew Selt with a score of 5-0.
Did any defending champions lose?
Yes, defending champion John Higgins was eliminated in the first round by Stan Moody.
What notable break did O'Sullivan achieve?
O'Sullivan achieved a remarkable break of 138 in just nine minutes during his match.
What surprises occurred in this round of the tournament?
The elimination of John Higgins and the strong performances of young players like Stan Moody are notable surprises.
