Ronnie O’Sullivan, the seven-time world champion and the sport’s biggest name, was beaten in the second round of the Shenzhen Open by a player ranked 64th in the world. That is the result that will stick with this tournament.
O’Sullivan, Zhao Xintong and defending champion Mark Williams all fell on the opening day of the competition. Jiang Jun, ranked 64th, won the match 5-2 and will now face Zak Surety in the next round.
How Jiang Beat O’Sullivan
Jiang took the opening two frames before England’s O’Sullivan levelled with breaks of 92 and 52. Jiang then reeled off the next three frames, sealing the win with a 108 break on the final frame.
The Upsets Around Him
Several other big names went down on the same day:
- Scotland’s Scott Donaldson beat 2025 world champion Zhao 5-3 after coming back from 3-2 down.
- Wales’ Mark Williams lost 5-4 to China’s Fan Zhengyi after fouling on the final pink.
- Judd Trump cruised to a 5-0 win over China’s Huang Jiahao, with Anthony McGill withdrawing due to medical issues.
Who Else Made Progress
Other results from Monday’s second-round matches included:
- Neil Robertson beating China’s Liu Hongyu 5-2.
- Chris Wakelin claiming a 5-3 win over Welshman Liam Davies.
- China’s Si Jiahui sweeping to a 5-1 success against England’s Oliver Lines.
- Ben Mertens progressing after Mark Allen withdrew for personal reasons.
First-Round Winners
Jamie Clarke, Andrew Higginson, Marco Fu and Sam Craigie all progressed through the first-round matches that took place on Monday.
What It Means
O’Sullivan’s exit is the story here, and it is a surprise. A second-round loss to a player ranked 64th is a rare result.
The other upsets add to the picture. Donaldson’s comeback win over Zhao shows the depth of the field.
The tournament continues with round three.
Key Facts Box
- Jiang Jun beat O’Sullivan 5-2, ranked 64th.
- Donaldson beat Zhao 5-3, ranked 65 places below him.
- Williams lost 5-4 to Fan Zhengyi.
- Trump won 5-0 over Huang Jiahao.
- McGill withdrew on medical grounds.
- Robertson beat Liu 5-2.
- Wakelin beat Davies 5-3.
- Si Jiahui beat Lines 5-1.
The Shenzhen Open has lost its headline act early. The first day made one thing clear: this tournament has plenty left to prove.
Source material: “O'Sullivan knocked out of Shenzhen Open,” the BBC.
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