English Open Snooker 2026 | Day Two Preview and Order of Play
Selby is a two-time English Open winner (Credit: Wu Zhizun/Xinhua/Alamy Live News)
Mark Selby looks to continue his strong form on Tuesday by making a winning start to his quest for a third English Open title.
The first round plays to a conclusion at Brentwood Centre, where the remaining top 32 players are aiming to avoid an early exit from the season’s opening Home Nations event.
World number two Selby headlines Tuesday’s action, two days after he was a beaten finalist at the British Open, where he succumbed 10-6 against Jak Jones.
It was only a second defeat in 16 matches at ranking events for the Jester, who captured the China Open crown during that run.
Selby will look to bounce back at the event where he lifted the Steve Davis trophy in 2019 and 2022, but faces a tricky opener in three-time ranking tournament winner Ricky Walden.
Elsewhere, former world number one Judd Trump takes on 2021 Welsh Open winner Jordan Brown. Like Selby, the Ace is also eyeing a hat-trick of English Open triumphs, following his successes in 2020 and 2023.
Reigning World champion Wu Yize is looking to avoid a third straight last-64 exit when he locks horns with compatriot Gao Yang, having fallen at this stage of the Wuhan Open and British Open.
Although, he has fond memories of this event, after reaching his maiden ranking final here in 2024, losing 9-7 to Neil Robertson.
Mark Williams, meanwhile, fell at the first hurdle in Cheltenham, and aims to get back on track against Thanawat Tirapongpaiboon.
Shaun Murphy faces Artemijs Zizins, who reached the British Open last 16, as 2018 English Open champion Stuart Bingham plays Anthony McGill.
Two of last season’s Home Nations winners are also in action against Chinese opponents. Northern Ireland Open champion Jack Lisowski takes on Fan Zhengyi, while Welsh Open victor Barry Hawkins clashes with Lyu Haotian.
Three-time Home Nations winner Gary Wilson is up against Daniel Wells in his opener as David Gilbert, who reached the English Open final seven years ago, faces Ross Muir.
Play gets under way at 10am BST on Tuesday with all matches contested over the best of seven frames at Brentwood Centre.
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English Open 2026 Schedule of Play
Tuesday September 8
Round One
10am
Thepchaiya Un-Nooh v Wang Xinbo
Xiao Guodong v Ross Muir
1pm
Xu Si v Aaron Hill
Wu Yize v Gao Yang
Jack Lisowski v Fan Zhengyi
Pang Junxu v Antoni Kowalski
2pm
Mark Selby v Ricky Walden
Lei Peifan v Ashley Carty
Hossein Vafaei v Matthew Selt
Mark Williams v Thanawat Tirapongpaiboon
7pm
David Gilbert v Jamie Clarke
Barry Hawkins v Lyu Haotian
Judd Trump v Jordan Brown
Gary Wilson v Daniel Wells
8pm
Shaun Murphy v Artemijs Zizins
Stuart Bingham v Anthony McGill