World champion crashes out early at English Open: Upsets and impressive performances

Right in the opening round of the 2026 English Open snooker tournament held in Brentwood, England, one of the biggest surprises occurred when the player dubbed 'world champion' Wu Yize (China) lost 1-4 to Liam Davies, a relatively unknown Welsh cueman. This result surprised many fans, especially since Wu had made strong impressions in previous tournaments. However, the best-of-7 format in the early rounds of the English Open always carries upset potential, especially when the opponent is in good form. Davies capitalized on his opportunities, scoring a 105-point century break to assert his class. The match scores: Davies led 3-0, Wu won one frame but could not turn the tide. Besides the shock of Wu Yize, the tournament witnessed other exciting developments. Reigning champion Kyren Wilson defeated Mark Selby in a dramatic decider. Wilson won 4-3, even though Selby had just been runner-up at the British Open a week ago and was in excellent form. The match showed the balance and nerve of both players, but Wilson – as defending champion – knew how to shine at the right moment. Another highlight came from Zhou Yuelong (China). He produced a 141-point break – the highest of the tournament so far – in a 4-1 win over compatriot Yuan Sijun. Zhou is showing a strong resurgence and impressive finishing ability. In another match, Ding Junhui – the Chinese snooker legend – also secured a convincing 4-1 victory over Joe O'Connor. Ding is currently the biggest hope for Asian snooker at this year's event. Judd Trump, a former world number one, also had a tough battle to overcome Anthony McGill 4-3. Trump has not won a title in seven months, and tight matches like this show he has not yet regained peak form. Ali Carter also advanced to the next round with a high break of 75, though match details remain unclear. With these results, the quarter-finals promise to be intense. The marquee match will undoubtedly be Ding Junhui vs Kyren Wilson – a clash between experience and youth, between a legend and the defending champion. If Ding wins, he will move closer to his 15th ranking title, providing a boost for Chinese snooker and Asia in general. The English Open has a total prize fund of around £400,000, with the champion receiving £80,000. The fast format (best-of-7 in early rounds) means any player can spring a surprise, as Liam Davies did. However, it also means top players must maintain absolute concentration to avoid early exits. For Vietnamese audiences, snooker is gaining increasing interest, especially as Asian players like Ding Junhui remain symbols of perseverance and talent. Can Ding overcome Wilson and go deep? Can Zhou Yuelong maintain his impressive form? The answers will come in the next few days. Stay tuned for further developments at the 2026 English Open – where the world's top cuemen compete to assert their dominance. (With the support of data analysis experts, this article provides a comprehensive view of the tournament. Data is referenced from reliable sources and has been cross-checked by the VuaBong.vn system.)