Big‑name snooker stars crash out early as dark horses claim shock victories in Belfast.
The opening day of the BetVictor Northern Ireland Open turned into a showcase of giant-killing, with nine of twelve matches decided by the under-dog. The Belfast venue, usually a stronghold for the sport’s elite, witnessed the early exit of three of the world’s top-10 and a host of other high-profile names, setting the tone for a tournament that could reshape the season’s narrative.
Top-ranked players knocked out in the first round
World No. 4 Neil Robertson fell 4-1 to former quarter-finalist Ricky Walden (ranked 52), despite Robertson’s pedigree of two semi-finals in nine previous Belfast visits. In a stunning reversal, Mark Selby (5) led 2-0 against fellow Englishman Louis Heathcote (67) before the latter stormed back with four straight frames to win 4-2.
The shock continued as world No. 7 Shaun Murphy was out-classed 4-2 by 20-year-old Liam Davies who posted a decisive century break in the final frame.
Chinese hope Xiao Guodong (14) succumbed 4-3 to Sam Craigie (72) in a tight decider, while Ali Carter (16) endured a 4-0 whitewash at the hands of world No. 39 Xu Si.
In the same vein, veteran Gary Wilson (27) was edged 4-3 by Polish qualifier Mateusz Baranowski (84), and rising Chinese talent Si Jiahui (25) fell 4-2 to compatriot Wang Xinbo (91). The string of upsets underscored the depth of the field and the increasingly narrow margin between the top-tier and the rest of the tour.
Defending champion and hometown hopes under pressure
Defending champion Jack Lisowski (18) bucked the trend, dispatching China’s Huang Jiahao (108) 4-1 in a match that saw him reaffirm why he lifted the Alex Higgins Trophy a year earlier. Post-match, Lisowski spoke candidly about his recent form dip, noting, “One down, don’t know if it’s maybe five more to go. The issues are more my game than nerves now.” He also highlighted his nightly routine in Belfast – a gym session followed by a pint of Guinness – as a personal formula for recovery.
Irish contender Aaron Hill (37) saw his aspirations crushed by Thailand’s Thepchaiya Un-Nooh (22), who won 4-2 after a gritty safety battle. Hill reflected, “A couple of poor safeties cost me, but I’ll use this loss as fuel for the next event.” His measured optimism, despite the disappointment, exemplifies the resilience needed on the snooker circuit.
Emerging performers and the road ahead
Beyond the headline upsets, several lower-ranked players delivered standout performances. Liam Davies (80) not only eliminated Murphy but did so with breaks of 64, 81 and a decisive 100-plus finish, confirming his recent run to the English Open quarter-finals. Ricky Walden posted back-to-back breaks of 85 and 79 en route to his win over Robertson, while Matthew Selt (47) survived a nail-biter, edging Iran’s Hossein Vafaei (32) 4-3 in a match decided on the final ball.
Scotland’s Anthony McGill (38) comfortably beat fellow Scotsman Stephen Maguire (33) 4-1, and Joe O’Connor (30) dispatched former world champion Matthew Stevens (50) by the same margin. In a procedural note, Elliott Slessor (23) progressed via walkover after He Guoqiang withdrew. The next round promises a high-profile clash as six-time world champion Ronnie O’Sullivan returns to the Waterfront Hall, slated to face Hong Kong’s Kai Wai Cheung at 3 p.m. Monday – his first Belfast appearance since a first-round exit in 2022.
Lisowski, who currently sits 48th on the one-year ranking list, also opened up about an upcoming personal hiatus. He will miss January and February events to support his fiancée’s childbirth in Brazil, acknowledging that the break could either stall his momentum or provide a much-needed reset. As the tournament progresses, the blend of seasoned veterans, hungry qualifiers, and personal storylines will keep fans riveted, illustrating why the ranking event remains one of the sport’s most unpredictable fixtures.
