World champion Wu Yize crashes out early at English Open: Surprise or routine?

At the ongoing English Open 2026 snooker tournament, one of the most notable stories is the early exit of the so-called 'world champion' Wu Yize. He lost to Liam Davies 1-4 in the very first round, a result that surprised many fans. However, considering the best-of-7 format (first to 4 frames) used in the early rounds of ranking events, a lower-ranked player defeating a star is not rare. Davies took the opportunity to showcase his scoring ability with a century break of 105, showing his high form in this match. Meanwhile, Wu Yize's 'world champion' title actually comes from a junior event or another system, which may not reflect superiority in professional ranking events. This event highlights the unpredictability of modern snooker, where short formats always create surprises. Another highlight of the day was the performance of Chinese players. Zhou Yuelong produced an impressive break of 141 points when defeating compatriot Yuan Sijun 4-1. This break is not only the highest of the tournament so far but also shows Zhou's extremely consistent scoring form. He is having a good season and can cause upsets in later rounds. Meanwhile, Ding Junhui, the legend of Chinese snooker, had little trouble overcoming Joe O'Connor 4-1. This victory gives Ding a chance to face Kyren Wilson, who just beat Mark Selby in a thrilling match that went to a decider. Selby, runner-up at the British Open last week, played well but Wilson showed the cluth of a world champion (2026). The quarter-final clash between Ding Junhui and Kyren Wilson promises to be the focal point of the tournament, attracting great attention from Chinese and global fans. In the other half, Judd Trump – seeking his first title in seven months – edged past Anthony McGill 4-3 in a closely contested match. Despite the win, Trump's performance was not entirely convincing, suggesting the pressure of a prolonged title drought may affect his confidence. Ali Carter also advanced with his highest break of 75 in the match. Overall, this year's English Open is witnessing fierce competition as many top players like Selby and Trump have been through tough matches. The best-of-7 format in the early rounds has created many surprises, but that is exactly what makes the tournament more exciting than ever. The upcoming rounds promise more dramatic developments, especially the duel between Wilson and Ding Junhui.