China Open 2026 Day Two: O’Sullivan Wins, Trump Crashes Out, Murphy Sets World Record

If Day One of the China Open 2026 delivered three upsets, Day Two went one better. The world number one was eliminated. An all-time scoring record was smashed. And Ronnie O’Sullivan came back from two frames down to show the first signs of genuine form. A day that will be remembered long after the tournament ends.

All Results — 9 August

⚡ The Big Shock: Saengkham Eliminates Trump 6-3

Just one week ago, Trump was untouchable — whitewashing Higgins 6-0, beating world champion Wu Yize 10-6 and lifting the Shanghai Masters trophy. In the very first round of the China Open, he lost 6-3 to Noppon Saengkham — ranked 45th in the world and someone who had to win two qualifying matches just to reach the main draw. Trump fought back from 2-0 down, levelling at 2-2 with breaks of 85 and 91. But Saengkham responded with three consecutive frames — highlighted by a match-high break of 120 — and closed out the match in the ninth frame after Trump botched a safety shot.

The consequences go beyond this tournament. Trump could lose the world number one ranking before the end of the month. To stay at the top, he needs to win the Wuhan Open and hope other results go his way. Zhao Xintong, Robertson and Wu Yize are all in pursuit. For Saengkham, it was his first win over Trump since 2018. In the last 16, he faces Ronnie O’Sullivan.

🏆 Murphy’s World Record: 607 Consecutive Points

Shaun Murphy beat Matthew Selt 6-0 — and in doing so set an all-time world record for consecutive points without reply in a professional match: 607. The previous record of 556 belonged to Ronnie O’Sullivan, set at the 2014 Masters. Murphy surpassed it by 51 points.

During the record-breaking run he made four consecutive century breaks in four frames: 132, 103, 139 and 113. The sequence stretched across six frames — Selt simply could not get to the table. The context adds another layer: Murphy lost the World Championship final in May — 17-18 to Wu Yize in the deciding frame. A deeply painful defeat. Responding to it with a world record on the very first major ranking event of the new season says something about the man’s character. In the last 16, Murphy faces Xiao Guodong.

O’Sullivan 6-2 Page: Back from the Dead at 0-2

Ronnie O’Sullivan started his first ranking match of the 2026/27 season — and promptly lost the first two frames to Jackson Page. Classic difficult-return-from-a-long-break scenario.

Then he won six in a row. Breaks of 64, 70, 96, 93 and 100 — and a 6-2 win.

O’Sullivan was candid afterwards:

“To have so many tournaments in China is fantastic, I just hope I can play some decent snooker. I like to perform well but I have been so inconsistent. The last time I played well was Yushan for the World Open, then I played ok at the World Championship. But there have been far too many not-so-good performances and that’s difficult to enjoy. I’m trying my hardest.”

The honesty you expect from O’Sullivan. He is not satisfied with his form over recent months — but today he did what was required: came back and won. In the last 16, he faces Saengkham — the man who just eliminated world number one Trump.

Xiao Guodong 6-3 McGill: Composed After Shanghai Heartbreak

Xiao bounced back from his Shanghai Masters heartbreak — where he led Robertson 5-2, made a 147, and still lost 5-6 — with a composed 6-3 win over McGill. Breaks of 54, 132, 76, 60 and 60. Controlled, methodical and exactly how Xiao plays on his better days.

In the last 16, he faces Shaun Murphy — the man who just set the world consecutive points record. That should be a fascinating match.

Last 16 Draw — Wednesday 12 August

Follow all results, scores and updates at snooker.media.

About the Author

Luke Stevenson

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Luke Stevenson is the founder and editor-in-chief of snooker.news, a main publication about snooker. He has been writing about snooker since 2020 and has personally attended the World Championship in Crucible, as well as the Masters and UK Championship tournaments. He produces news stories, match analysis, and player profiles; his work has previously been published in sports media.

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