Wuhan Open 2026 | Day Two Preview and Order of Play
O’Sullivan last appeared in Wuhan in 2023 (Credit: PA Images)
Ronnie O’Sullivan makes his Wuhan Open return on Monday, with the Rocket facing Ashley Carty in his heldover last-64 showdown.
The remainder of the world’s top 16 enter the fray as the round of 64 draws to a conclusion at Optics Valley Gymnasium.
O’Sullivan is back in Wuhan for the first time since reaching the quarter-finals at the inaugural event in 2023.
Should the Rocket match that at the very least this week, it would represent only his second appearance in the last eight of any ranking tournament in 2026.
The Rocket, a beaten finalist at the World Open in March, has started this season with successive last-16 exits at the hands of the eventual runner-up of the respective tournaments.
Despite hitting three successive centuries, the seven-time World champion was beaten 6-4 by Kyren Wilson at the Shanghai Masters, while losing by the same scoreline against Noppon Saengkham at the China Open.
The first obstacle he must overcome in Wuhan is former Crucible qualifier Carty.
After a year off the tour, the Yorkshireman secured his return for this season. He beat Ian Burns and Matthew Stevens to book his place at the main venue, and has also qualified for the English Open.
Elsewhere, China Open champion Mark Selby looks to continue his momentum against Fan Zhengyi, while World champion Wu Yize faces Artemijs Zizins.
The two players are in contention to potentially displace Judd Trump at the summit of the WST rankings this week – as are Neil Robertson and Zhao Xintong, who play Ben Mertens and Gao Yang respectively.
Shaun Murphy locks horns with Alfie Burden and Barry Hawkins takes on Qien Chen, while 2024 Wuhan Open runner-up goes up against Jiang Jun.
Trump, the 2023 champion who whitewashed Florian Nuessle in his heldover match, kicks off the round of 32 against Yuan Sijun, with 2025 semi-finalist Mark Williams facing a tricky test in David Gilbert.
Two-time defending champion Xiao Guodong resumes his quest for a three-peat against Jackson Page. Meanwhile, last year’s beaten finalist Gary Wilson plays Liam Davies, who stunned Ding Junhui 5-1 on Sunday.
Play gets under way at 2.30am BST (9.30am local time) on Monday with all matches contested over the best of nine frames at Optics Valley Gymnasium.
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Wuhan Open 2026 Schedule
All times BST (local time +7 hours)
Monday August 24
Round Two
2.30am
Neil Robertson v Ben Mertens
Si Jiahui v Jiang Jun
Ronnie O’Sullivan v Ashley Carty
Barry Hawkins v Qien Chen
7am
Shaun Murphy v Alfie Burden
Zhao Xintong v Gao Yang
Wu Yize v Artemijs Zizins
Mark Selby v Fan Zhengyi
Round Three
12.30pm
David Gilbert v Mark Williams
Xiao Guodong v Jackson Page
Gary Wilson v Liam Davies
Judd Trump v Yuan Sijun