The China Open returns to the snooker calendar for the first time in seven years, with 2019 winner Neil Robertson the de facto defending champion as the event moves to a new home in the city of Taiyuan in the Shanxi province.
Robertson beat Jack Lisowski 11-4 in the decider at the Olympic Sports Center, for his second title.
Mark Selby and Mark Williams share the record with three wins apiece, the former taking his titles in 2015, 2017 and 2018.
Robertson, Selby and Williams join the likes of Judd Trump, Kyren Wilson, Ronnie O'Sullivan and world champion Wu Yize in a stellar field in Taiyuan from August 8th-16th.
China Open Tips Summary
Best Bet - Zhou Yuelong to win outright @ 33/1
Alternative Bet - Mark Selby to win outright @ 8/1
China Open Prediction
Best Bet: Zhou Yuelong to win outright @ 33/1
The first staging of the China Open since before the pandemic brings with it a changed snooker landscape.
Seven years ago there were just five Chinese contenders at the last-32 stage. Now, there could be as many as 14 home hopes in the first round proper, including the two most recent world champions - Wu Yize and Zhao Xintong.
It had long been anticipated that China would become a dominant force in snooker and it is coming to pass, with a plethora of talent now on show and hopes of seeing one of their stars join icon Ding Junhui as a winner of this event are high.
Crucible champs Wu and Zhao are major contenders. They both reached the semi-finals of the Shanghai Masters, losing to Trump and Wilson respectively.
World number 22 Zhou Yuelong is worth a look at a bigger price as he caught the eye in Shanghai.
He beat Selby 6-5 in his opener, with breaks of 135, 107, 87, 83 along the way, showing real composure after the Leicester potter had recovered from 4-2 down to lead 5-4, Zhou making 83 and 107 to take his win.
He wasn't quite as good against Shaun Murphy, but will feel that match got away as he led the Magician 4-2 before losing a decider.
The Jumping Dragon is a four-time ranking event runner-up including the English Open last season, while he also reached the semis at the Northern Ireland Open and the Grand Prix.
He could face Wu in the semi-finals here, but Zhou's best game is good enough to compete with anyone and he's a lively outsider.
Alternative Bet: Mark Selby to win outright @ 8/1
We saw some glimpses of Selby's best form last season when he won his 25th ranking title and third UK Championship by defeating Trump in the York decider.
He also won the Champions of Champions and the Championship League alongside semi-finals in Shanghai and in the British and English Opens.
At the World Championship he was denied 13-11 in the second round in a high-quality tussle with eventual champion Wu, and the Jester will have felt a fifth world crown was within reach had he come through that test.
Selby took some time to warm up in Shanghai but looked to be moving nicely when he led Zhou 5-4. Only a superb long pot off a Selby safety in the deciding frame cost him.
Better should be forthcoming from the Englishman and he has lifted this title a record three times before.
Robertson and Wilson are in his quarter of the draw, with Zhao potentially waiting in the last four but Selby's record includes those three wins here and three Shanghai semi-finals in three years before 2026.
He often plays well in China at this time of year and, with that first competitive outing under his belt, should be sharper now.
Key Tournament Stats
Neil Robertson won the China Open when it was last held in 2019, the Australian's second title after his 2013 win
Mark Selby lifted this title in 2015, 2017 and 2018 and has played in two further finals
That record is matched by Mark Williams, winner in 2002, 2006 and 2010, who has also appeared in five deciders
World number one Judd Trump landed the Shanghai Masters, the opening event of the 2025-26 snooker season
Ding Junhui won in 2005 and 2014 and reached the final in 2010. He remains the only Chinese player to contest a final
As many as 14 Chinese players could feature in the last-32 this year, with world champions Wu Yize and Zhao Xintong among them
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
