LONDON, Jan. 12 (China News Service) -- The 2026 Snooker Masters kicked off in London, England, on January 11 local time. In the first two matches, Chinese players Wu Yize and Xiao Guodong defeated two English stars, Shaun Murphy and Mark Selby, respectively, to advance to the quarterfinals.
The Snooker Masters, founded in 1975, is considered one of the three major snooker tournaments, along with the World Championship and the UK Championship. Five Chinese players, including Ding Junhui and Zhao Xintong, are participating in this year's Masters.
22-year-old Wu Yize is participating in the Masters for the first time. Facing "The Magician" Shaun Murphy, the young Chinese player played proactively and steadily, taking a 3-1 lead before the mid-session interval and scoring a brilliant 137 break in the second frame. After the break, Wu Yize seized the opportunity to win another frame. Although Murphy fought back tenaciously to win a frame, Wu Yize immediately scored a 50+ break to secure a 6-2 victory and advance to the quarterfinals.
Another match that day took place between Xiao Guodong and Mark Selby, who has been in excellent form this season. Selby played only moderately, while Xiao Guodong displayed outstanding form from the start, scoring breaks of 95, 62, 76, and 77 in the first four frames to take a 4-0 lead. Although Selby responded with breaks of 101 and 76 to win the next two frames, Xiao Guodong capitalized on an opponent's mistake in the seventh frame with a brilliant break of 118 to reach match point. In the eighth frame, Xiao Guodong had multiple opportunities to break through, winning 53-30 to secure a 6-2 victory and advance.
On January 12th local time, the 2026 Snooker Masters will continue with the round of 16 matches, including a game between Chinese player Zhao Xintong and English player Gary Wilson. (End)
