Welsh Open Snooker 2026 | Day Four Preview and Order of Play
Williams is still in contention for glory in Llandudno (Credit: Action Plus Sports Images)
Mark Williams continues his bid for a third Welsh Open title when he faces Barry Hawkins in the last 16 in Llandudno on Thursday.
It is now 30 years since the three-time World champion made his big breakthrough with victory at the Welsh Open, where he also triumphed in 1999.
Williams is still at the top of the game three decades on, with the 50-year-old becoming the oldest ranking event winner in snooker history following his Xi’an Grand Prix victory in October.
The world number four has dropped just three frames in his opening two matches ahead of facing 2018 Welsh Open finalist Hawkins, who he defeated 6-2 at last week’s Players Championship in Telford.
John Higgins, the most successful player in Welsh Open history, continues his quest for a record-extending sixth title against Zhang Anda, while two-time champion Neil Robertson hopes to avoid another defeat against Jak Jones, who swept him aside 5-1 at the World Grand Prix earlier this month.
Zhao Xintong, fresh from his triumphs at the World Grand Prix and Players Championship, looks to stay on course for a third straight ranking title against 2017 Welsh Open champion Stuart Bingham; a player he has beaten in six of their last seven meetings after losing the opening five encounters.
International Championship winner Wu Yize goes up against David Grace, who knocked out Mark Allen in round one, while Zhou Yuelong’s reward for taking out world number two Kyren Wilson is a showdown with Sam Craigie.
Northern Ireland Open champion Jack Lisowski goes head to head with Jackson Page in what promises to be a mouth-watering battle between two of the game’s most attacking players.
The other last-16 tie pits Robbie Williams against Jiang Jun, who dethroned reigning champion Mark Selby at the start of the week.
Play gets under way at 1pm GMT on Thursday with all matches contested over the best of seven frames at Venue Cymru in Llandudno.
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Welsh Open 2026 Schedule of Play
Thursday February 26
Round Three
1pm
Mark Williams v Barry Hawkins
Jiang Jun v Robbie Williams
2pm
Jak Jones v Neil Robertson
Wu Yize v David Grace
7pm
Jackson Page v Jack Lisowski
Zhang Anda v John Higgins
8pm
Zhou Yuelong v Sam Craigie
Stuart Bingham v Zhao Xintong