English Open: Judd Trump cruises into third round as Mark Selby enjoys whitewash victory, Kyren Wilson advances

React to this story

Judd Trump appeared to recover from his performance in the previous round of the English Open as he secured a 4-1 win over Matthew Selt in Wednesday's afternoon session. The defending champion admitted that he “didn’t really care” about what was happening on the table during his match on Monday, but he was fully focused as he cruised past Selt. Mark Selby and Kyren Wilson also advanced.

‘Not a million miles off top form’ – Trump searching for ‘spark’ to ignite at English Open

Video credit: TNT Sports

Judd Trump progressed into the third round of the English Open with a comfortable 4-1 victory over Matthew Selt on Wednesday.

The defending champion appeared to put his previous performance behind him after claiming that he “didn’t really care” following his win over Liu Hongyu on Monday.

But he appeared to be more focused and produced a fine display to ease past Selt and continue his fine start to the campaign.

Shanghai Masters

Trump and Wilson show future can be bright for British snooker despite Hendry prediction

03/08/2026 at 08:50

World No. 1 Trump started strongly and was sharp around the table with Selt unable to pot as his opponent eased his way to the opening frame.

Selt was restricted to the most meagre of half chances and was still yet to pot as Trump took the second frame 81-0.

At the start of the third, Selt finally got himself up and running with a fine long red, finding the heart of the bottom left pocket.

'Can you believe that?' - Trump pots 'unbelievable' long red against Selt

Video credit: TNT Sports

Having given nothing away in the opening frames, Trump made two uncharacteristic errors with the rest which Selt, at the second time of asking, took advantage of to pull a frame back.

At 12-0 ahead in the fourth, Trump potted a vital red from centre to right corner - knowing if he had missed the pot, Selt would have been left with an open table.

Trump went on to build a significant lead but some solid safety play from Selt dragged the frame out for nearly half an hour until he eventually succumbed and Trump moved to within one of the next round.

'I'm absolutely useless' - O'Sullivan casts doubt on future after 'awful, embarrassing' loss

‘I didn’t really care’ - Trump gives candid verdict after escaping English Open defeat

Selby cruises past o'connor

Meanwhile, Mark Selby made light work of his friend Joe O’Connor as he eased his way into the last-16 with a 4-0 win.

He took the opening frame with runs of 37 and 51, before a sensational total clearance of 137 put Selby 2-0 ahead.

Selby knocks in sublime 137 to double advantage over O’Connor at English Open

Video credit: TNT Sports

Selby continued his dominance in the third frame and with three snookers needed, O’Connor conceded to allow his opponent to move to within one of progressing.

O’Connor went 57-0 ahead in the fourth to provide some resistance but, in the closing stages with a lead of 69-57, he missed on the blue which allowed Selby back to the table to clear up and advance to the next round.

Speaking to Eurosport after the match, Selby said: “I’ve scored well this season. I've had 12 or 13 centuries and considering I’ve not gone on a deep run in any comps, it shows that I’m playing OK.”

Wu Yize impressed with breaks of 126 and 123 on his way to a 4-2 win against Ali Carter.

Wilson, Higgins advance but Brecel crashes out

Three world champions were in action during the second bunch of matches in the afternoon session on Wednesday.

Kyren Wilson and John Higgins both won their respective ties, while Luca Brecel succumbed to defeat.

Current world title holder Wilson overcame Anthony McGill in a high-level replay of their 2020 World Championship semi-final to secure a place in the last 16.

Breaks of 84 and 80 contributed to a swift 4-1 victory for Wilson, who will play either Barry Hawkins or Xu Si for a place in the quarter-final.

'Goodness me' - Wilson sinks insane fluke against McGill

Video credit: TNT Sports

Four-time world champion Higgins also made sure of his spot in the next round with a comfortable 4-1 victory over David Gilbert, despite this year’s World Championship semi-finalist making a 124 break to avoid a whitewash.

Brecel’s match against Pang Junxu went all the way, but the 2023 world champion crashed out as the No. 28 rank pipped the final frame to seal a 4-3 victory.

Elsewhere, Ross Muir beat Jamie Jones 4-1 and will play the winner of Neil Robertson and Shaun Murphy for a quarter-final place.

Stream the English Open and many more top snooker events live and on-demand on discovery+

Shanghai Masters