Wuhan Open Qualifiers 2025 | Day One Preview and Order of Play
Williams commences his 34th successive season as a professional (PA Images / Alamy Stock Photo)
Mark Williams is among the star names in action as the 2025-26 season gets under way at the Wuhan Open qualifiers in Leicester on Sunday.
Just under seven weeks after Zhao Xintong was crowned China’s first World champion following victory over Williams in Sheffield, a new campaign full of more drama will commence at the Mattioli Arena, where some of the game’s top players look to make a winning start.
Williams was a gallant runner-up at The Crucible Theatre where, despite eyesight problems, he reached his fifth final at the age of 50.
However, a fourth World crown ultimately eluded the Welshman, who could not keep up with an inspired Zhao, as the Chinese prevailed a comfortable 18-12 victor.
It remains to be seen whether or not Williams underwent his scheduled eye surgery in mid-June, though all will be revealed when he faces new professional Chatchapong Nasa, who secured his WST place via an Asia-Oceania Q School event.
Like Williams, four-time Crucible king John Higgins begins his 34th successive season on the tour against Huang Jiahao, while former World champion Luca Brecel takes on Haris Tahir.
Si Jiahui was runner-up to Xiao Guodong 12 months ago, and the world number 15 launches his quest to go one better against Hungary’s Bulcsu Revesz, with 12-time ladies’ World champion Reanne Evans going up against former World Seniors champion David Lilley.
Long Zehuang was last year’s surprise package at the Wuhan Open as he reached the semi-finals. Hoping for another deep run this year, he goes up against Dylan Emery – back on the tour after a year away – while Joe O’Connor and Elliot Slessor play Jiang Jun and Oliver Lines respectively.
Play gets under way at 10am BST on Sunday with all matches contested over the best of nine frames at the Mattioli Arena in Leicester.
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Wuhan Open Qualifiers 2025 Schedule
Sunday June 22
10am
Joe O’Connor v Jiang Jun
Zhou Yuelong v Lan Yuhao
Noppon Saengkham v Robbie McGuigan
Jamie Jones v Liu Wenwei
Matthew Selt v Sunny Akani
Wu Yize v Louis Heathcote
Ishpreet Singh Chadha v Yao Pengcheng
2.30pm
Elliot Slessor v Oliver Lines
Luca Brecel v Haris Tahir
John Higgins v Huang Jiahao
Fan Zhengyi v Ben Mertens
Si Jiahui v Bulcsu Revesz
Ricky Walden v David Grace
Long Zehuang v Dylan Emery
7pm
Jordan Brown v Duane Jones
David Lilley v Reanne Evans
Mark Williams v Chatchapong Nasa
Michael Holt v Liam Graham
Sanderson Lam v Zhao Hanyang
Mark Davis v Liam Davies
Martin O’Donnell v Haydon Pinhey