World Grand Prix Snooker 2026 | Day Four Preview and Order of Play
Zhao is the highest-ranked player still standing in Hong Kong (Credit: Vernon Yuen/Nexpher Images)
Zhao Xintong looks to build on his wins over John Higgins and Mark Selby when the World Grand Prix quarter-finals take centre stage on Friday.
Six Chinese players are set to appear in the last eight in Kowloon City, Hong Kong – a record tally at a ranking tournament – with world number eight Zhao the highest-ranked player still standing at the Kai Tak Arena.
The reigning World champion ended his losing streak against John Higgins with a 5-3 victory in the opening round, also avenging his narrow defeat in their epic Masters quarter-final last month.
Zhao then produced a remarkable turnaround from 4-1 down against Mark Selby in round two, hitting back-to-back centuries on the way to prevailing in a deciding frame.
Next up for the Cyclone is Scottish Open champion Chris Wakelin, the player he beat 13-5 in the quarter-finals on the way to Crucible last year.
Although, Wakelin did avenge that defeat in their most recent showdown at this season’s Saudi Arabia Masters, and the world number 15 is fresh from overturning a 4-2 deficit to edge out Elliot Slessor 5-4 in round two.
The other standout tie of the round pits world number 10 Xiao Guodong against world number 16 Si Jiahui.
Reigning Wuhan Open champion Xiao has already beaten Kyren Wilson and Ronnie O’Sullivan this week, with Si now eyeing his first semi-final of the season after victories over Gary Wilson and Pang Junxu.
Elsewhere, 2019 World Grand Prix runner-up and recent German Masters semi-finalist Ali Carter looks to build on his recent momentum against Zhou Yuelong.
The Captain edged out Mark Allen in round one before reeling off five straight frames from 2-0 down against Yuan Sijun. Meanwhile, English Open finalist Zhou has beaten Stephen Maguire and Jak Jones to reach his first World Grand Prix quarter-final.
Another all-Chinese tie sees Wu Yize go head to head with Zhang Anda.
A good omen for world number 13 Wu is the fact he beat Zhang on the way to winning his first ranking title at the International Championship back in November.
Although, he knows it will not be easy against last week’s German Masters maximum man, who is appearing in his second World Grand Prix quarter-final in three appearances after defeating Mark Williams and Barry Hawkins.
Play gets under way at 5am GMT (1pm local time) on Friday with all matches contested over the best of nine frames at Kowloon City, Hong Kong.
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World Grand Prix 2026 Schedule of Play
All times GMT (local time +8 hours)
Friday February 6
Quarter-Finals
5am
Wu Yize v Zhang Anda
Xiao Guodong v Si Jiahui
11am
Zhou Yuelong v Ali Carter
Chris Wakelin v Zhao Xintong