English Open 2026 Snooker: Quarter-Final Results — Carter's Incredible Comeback and Trump's Exit (September 11)
Day five of the 2026 English Open in Brentwood produced two of the most dramatic matches of the season. The quarter-finals, played in best-of-11 format for the first time this week, yielded an astonishing comeback from Ali Carter, a stunning display of form from Ding Junhui, and the end of the Liam Davies fairytale.
The headline result was Carter’s remarkable rally from 3-5 down against Zhou Yuelong — three frames in a row to win 6-5. In the evening session, Shaun Murphy edged past Judd Trump in another decider, while Mark Williams brought the curtain down on his young practice partner’s breakthrough week.
Quarter-Final Results (September 11)
| Match | Score |
|---|---|
| Ding Junhui — Wilson K. | 6-2 |
| Zhou Yuelong — Carter A. | 5-6 |
| Trump J. — Murphy S. | 5-6 |
| Williams M. — Davies L. J. | 6-3 |
Key Match Highlights
Carter’s comeback — match of the day. Ali Carter, 47, produced one of the finest comebacks of his career. Zhou Yuelong was leading 5-3 and moved 55-0 ahead in the ninth frame, seemingly on the verge of wrapping up the match. But Zhou missed what looked a straightforward yellow — and Carter seized his chance, clearing with 71 to pull back to 4-5. The Captain then reeled off breaks of 77 and 74 in the tenth and eleventh frames to complete a stunning 6-5 victory.
Carter admitted afterwards that he thought he was heading for the car park. The miss, he said, was one he had to clear from, and he delivered when it mattered most. The win gives Carter his 35th ranking-event semi-final, keeping alive his bid for a seventh ranking title and a first in a full-format knockout on home soil.
For Zhou Yuelong, it was another agonising near-miss at the sharp end of a tournament. His career record now reads 11 quarter-final exits, six semi-final exits, and four final defeats without a single ranking title. The miss on the yellow in the pivotal ninth frame will haunt him — it is far from the first time a crucial error at a decisive moment has derailed his progress. Observers have suggested that working with a sports psychologist could help unlock the enormous potential that Zhou undoubtedly possesses.
Ding at his brilliant best. Ding Junhui delivered arguably the performance of the tournament, demolishing 2024 world champion Kyren Wilson 6-2. The Chinese great compiled breaks of 93, 87, 59 and 76, seizing every chance that came his way and leaving Wilson under relentless pressure throughout. It was Ding’s third consecutive victory over Wilson and his first semi-final appearance since the 2025 Tour Championship.
Ding reflected afterwards that every day on tour feels like a big day now — he knows how badly he was playing not so long ago, and hopes the winning run can rebuild his confidence.
Murphy ends Trump’s bid. The most anticipated tie of the round lived up to the billing. Shaun Murphy beat Judd Trump 6-5 in a fiercely contested battle that lasted the entire evening session, clinching the win with a break of 67 in the decider.
For Murphy, who lost the 2026 World Championship final 17-18 to Wu Yize in May, this tournament represents a shot at redemption. The 2005 world champion revealed that he had work done on his cue between the British Open and this event and has already gone through four tips this week. In that context, he described reaching the last four as potentially one of the best weeks of his career.
Trump, who recently lost the world number one ranking to Zhao Xintong, departs Brentwood without reaching the semi-finals — a disappointing end to a tournament where he had looked dominant in the early rounds.
Williams halts the Davies fairytale. Mark Williams, the 49-year-old three-time world champion, beat his young friend and practice partner Liam Davies 6-3 in a match laced with mutual respect. Williams was in superb form, compiling breaks of 63, 95 and 112 to march into the semi-finals.
For Davies, the tournament ends after a landmark week: from entering the draw only because of O’Sullivan’s withdrawal, through a stunning victory over world champion Wu Yize, to a maiden ranking-event quarter-final. The 20-year-old Welshman leaves Brentwood with invaluable experience and a growing belief in his abilities.
Williams’s progress marks the 70th ranking semi-final of his extraordinary career — a staggering number that speaks to his enduring competitiveness at the highest level.
English Open 2026 Semi-Final Draw (September 12)
All matches best-of-11 (first to 6):
- Afternoon session: Ding Junhui v Ali Carter;
- Evening session: Shaun Murphy v Mark Williams.
Both semi-finals promise fascinating contrasts. Ding v Carter is a clash of two experienced campaigners enjoying a resurgence — Ding playing some of the best snooker he has produced in years, Carter feeding off the emotion of a home crowd and the adrenaline of his comeback. Murphy v Williams pits two former world champions against each other in what could grace any final.
The 2026 English Open final will be held on September 13 in best-of-17 format (first to 9, across two sessions).
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