British Open 2026 Day 3 Results: Boiko Stuns Ding, Wilson Crashes Out
Day 3 of the Unibet British Open 2026 produced 19 matches, two seismic upsets, and further confirmation that this tournament’s random draw format is a merciless destroyer of reputations. Ding Junhui — who had swept through his previous rounds without breaking sweat — was sensationally beaten by Boiko. Kyren Wilson — the 2023 World Champion — was demolished by Highfield. And Mark Selby played twice in one day and won both — though barely.
Shock #1: Boiko 4:1 Ding J.
The headline result of the day. Iulian Boiko defeated Ding Junhui 4-1 in one of the most stunning upsets of the entire tournament. Ding, who just yesterday looked like one of the most dangerous players in the draw after whitewashing his way through the early rounds, was completely dismantled. One frame from five — a catastrophic return for a player who arrived at the British Open with genuine title ambitions.
Boiko produced the performance of his career, suffocating Ding’s scoring opportunities and capitalising ruthlessly when his own chances arrived. This is a victory that could define his entire career — and one that leaves Ding with a bitter taste of what might have been.
Shock #2: Wilson K. 1:4 Highfield L.
The second thunderbolt in a single day. Kyren Wilson — the 2023 World Champion who appeared to be rounding into form after a difficult China Open — was thrashed 1-4 by Liam Highfield. One frame won — an identical scoreline to Ding’s defeat, and every bit as shocking.
For Wilson, this extends what has become a nightmare stretch of the season. After the exhausting China Open (a 6-5 escape against Hill, then a 1-6 demolition by Selby), he had appeared to be recovering — yesterday’s composed 4-1 victory over Wu Yize gave grounds for optimism. Today, it all fell apart. Highfield played fearlessly and precisely, and Wilson simply had no answer. The World Champion’s season is threatening to unravel.
Gilbert D. 4:2 Murphy Sh. — The Champion Falls
David Gilbert continues his extraordinary British Open run, eliminating defending champion Shaun Murphy 4-2. After whitewashing Mark Williams in round one, Gilbert has now dispatched the title holder — two major scalps in successive matches that mark him as one of the most dangerous players left in the draw.
For Murphy, the title defence is over. The 2005 World Champion began the tournament with a dominant 4-0 win over Evans but could not sustain that level against a significantly more dangerous opponent. Gilbert was simply too good.
Higgins D. 4:3 Saengkham N. — A Score Settled
John Higgins edged past Noppon Saengkham 4-3 in a tense deciding frame. Saengkham — the man who eliminated O’Sullivan at the China Open — could not repeat his giant-killing heroics this time. The four-time World Champion, who himself fell to Bingham at the China Open, produced a composed and courageous performance to secure victory at the most critical moment.
Selby M. — Two Matches, Two Survivals
Mark Selby endured a gruelling day, playing two matches and winning both — but both by the narrowest possible margin:
- Selby 4-3 Lei Peifan — deciding frame;
- Selby 4-3 Jackson Page — deciding frame again.
After his dominant China Open campaign (back-to-back 6-1 demolitions), Selby at the British Open looks like an entirely different player. Three matches, three 4-3 victories. This is no longer the machine — this is a man fighting, scrapping, and grinding out every single win. Is it fatigue from China? Is it the unforgiving best-of-7 format? Whatever the cause, Selby is still standing — and that is ultimately what matters.
Other Notable Results
Trump J. 4-2 Walden R. — Judd Trump progressed comfortably, giving Walden no chance to cause an upset.
Xintong Ch. 4-2 Wells D. — Zhao Xintong continues his steady rehabilitation with a confident win.
Hill A. 4-2 Mertens B. — Aaron Hill, who nearly toppled Wilson at the China Open, advances.
Muir R. 4-3 Bai Yulu — the Scot snatched victory in the deciding frame.
Full Day 3 Results
| Match | Result | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| Stevens M. vs Fan Zhengyi | 3-4 | |
| Lei P. vs Selby M. | 3-4 | Selby in a decider |
| Moody S. vs Yao Pengcheng | 4-1 | |
| Long Zehuang vs Carty A. | 4-2 | |
| Gilbert D. vs Murphy Sh. | 4-2 | 🔥 Gilbert eliminates champion |
| Jones D. vs Wang Xinbo | 3-4 | |
| Trump J. vs Walden R. | 4-2 | Trump advances |
| Bai Yulu vs Muir R. | 3-4 | |
| Xintong Ch. vs Wells D. | 4-2 | |
| Saengkham N. vs Higgins D. | 3-4 | Higgins in a decider |
| Grace D. vs Surety Z. | 4-1 | |
| Hill A. vs Mertens B. | 4-2 | |
| Boiko vs Ding J. | 4-1 | 🔥 Boiko stuns Ding |
| Chadha I. vs Lisowski J. | 3-4 | |
| Selby M. vs Page J. | 4-3 | Selby in another decider |
| Lyu Haotian vs Jones D. | 4-3 | |
| Jones Jak vs Binyu Ch. | 4-1 | |
| He G. vs Zizins A. | 1-4 | |
| Wilson K. vs Highfield L. | 1-4 | 🔥 Wilson eliminated |
Day 3 Takeaways
The tournament has lost two more stars. Ding and Wilson — both eliminated with identical 1-4 scorelines. The British Open continues to shred the formbook with abandon.
Gilbert is the dark horse to beat. Williams 4-0, then Murphy 4-2. Gilbert is playing the best snooker of his season and has a realistic path to the latter stages.
Selby survives — but only just. Three consecutive 4-3 victories is either a warning sign or the hallmark of a true champion who finds a way to win even on his worst day. Only time will tell which.
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