The 2026 World Open Snooker tournament is underway in Yushan, China, with some of the sport’s biggest stars already in action. Fans following the live results have seen a strong start from Ronnie O’Sullivan, while Judd Trump and Jack Lisowski are among the players competing during the opening rounds. The ranking event runs from March 16–22, 2026, with a top prize of £175,000 for the winner.
O’Sullivan off to winning start
Seven-time world champion Ronnie O’Sullivan began his campaign with a convincing 5–1 victory over Ross Muir. The English star produced high-quality scoring, including impressive century breaks of 113 and 114, showing signs of returning to top form after a period of limited tournament appearances.
The match included a brief moment of drama when O’Sullivan unexpectedly walked away from the table early in the match due to discomfort caused by a sponsor logo stitched onto his waistcoat. After adjusting his clothing and returning to the arena, he quickly regained focus and dominated the contest.
His victory sends him safely into the next stage of the competition, boosting hopes among fans that the legendary player could make a deep run in the tournament. Despite his legendary status, O’Sullivan recently admitted that he has struggled with confidence and technique in recent years and is currently attempting to rebuild his game through intense practice and self-coaching.
Trump begins his campaign
World No. 1 Judd Trump, a former World Open champion, is also competing at the tournament and is among the headline names scheduled to play during the opening sessions. Trump has enjoyed a strong season, including winning the 2026 German Masters, and he remains one of the favourites to challenge for the title in Yushan.
Trump’s matches are expected to attract major attention as he attempts to add another ranking trophy to his collection and continue his impressive form heading toward the latter part of the snooker season.
Lisowski among players in action
Another player to watch is Jack Lisowski, who has been enjoying one of the best spells of his career in recent seasons. Lisowski is currently competing in the early rounds of the World Open as he looks to build momentum following strong results on the tour.
The Englishman has established himself as a dangerous opponent thanks to his attacking style and heavy scoring ability. His presence in the draw adds further excitement to a tournament already packed with elite talent.
Major names in the draw
Alongside O’Sullivan, Trump and Lisowski, the World Open field also includes several other top players, such as John Higgins, the defending champion, and a number of rising stars from the international circuit. Matches up to the quarter-finals are played over best of nine frames, before longer formats are used in the later stages.
Tournament heating up
With the tournament just getting underway, the action in Yushan is already producing drama and standout performances. O’Sullivan’s confident victory has set the tone, while the ongoing matches featuring Trump and Lisowski promise more excitement as the battle for the World Open crown continues.
As the week progresses, fans can expect intense clashes, big breaks, and potential surprises as the world’s best snooker players compete for one of the final major ranking titles before the World Championship later in the season.
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