Shanghai Masters 2026 | Day Three Preview and Order of Play
Wu plays his first match as the reigning World champion (Credit: PA Images)
Wu Yize begins life as the reigning World champion when he plays compatriot Si Jiahui on day three of the 2026 Shanghai Masters.
The 22-year-old became the second-youngest player after Stephen Hendry to reign at the Crucible back in May, following his dramatic 18-17 victory over Shaun Murphy.
It was the perfect conclusion to a breakthrough campaign for Wu, who captured his first career ranking title at the International Championship.
Fittingly, the Chinese’s first match as defending World champion comes on familiar soil, and against another home favourite, in Si.
The world number 16, who was the only seed to lose in round one at the Crucible, is fresh from a 6-4 victory over Pang Junxu in the opening round of this event.
Wu became the second successive Chinese World champion after Zhao Xintong, who renews his rivalry with fellow trailblazer Ding Junhui.
Zhao was a 13-9 winner when the players met in Sheffield at the back end of last season, during which he won the Riyadh Season Championship, World Grand Prix, Players Championship and Tour Championship.
However, two-time Shanghai Masters champion Ding has opened this campaign in fine fettle, having hit four centuries during his 6-2 victory over wildcard Yao Dongcheng in round one.
Elsewhere, John Higgins begins his 35th professional season with a tasty showdown against Jack Lisowski.
It is now 14 years since Higgins triumphed in Shanghai, producing a trademark fightback from 7-2 down to stun Judd Trump 10-9.
Lisowski, meanwhile, was a late replacement for Mark Allen, and last season’s Northern Ireland Open champion started his week with a 6-4 win over Zhang Anda.
The day’s other match sees Murphy – a runner-up in Shanghai in 2019 and 2024 – appear for the first time since his Crucible final heartbreak 86 days earlier.
Awaiting the Magician is Zhou Yuelong, who is fresh from holding his nerve to edge out Mark Selby, having trailed 5-4 from 4-2 up before hitting a century in the decider.
Play gets under way at 7am BST (2pm local time) on Wednesday with all matches contested over the best of 11 frames at Luwan Indoor Stadium.
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Shanghai Masters 2026 Schedule of Play
All times BST (local time +7 hours)
Wednesday July 29
Round Two
7am
Shaun Murphy v Zhou Yuelong
John Higgins v Jack Lisowski
12.30pm
Wu Yize v Si Jiahui
Zhao Xintong v Ding Junhui