Who is in action on opening day of the new snooker season as Mark Williams, John Higgins and Luca Brecel return to action after Crucible
By Desmond Kane
Updated 19/06/2025 at 09:26 GMT+1
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Former world champions Mark Williams, John Higgins and Luca Brecel will all aim to make a winning start to the new 2025/26 snooker season when the qualifiers for the Wuhan Open begin at the Mattioli Arena in Leicester. Shaun Murphy, Neil Robertson and Mark Selby all take to the baize on Monday, bidding to book a spot in the last 64 and a trip to Wuhan in August as Xiao Guodong defends the title.
'Incredible, amazing, phenomenal!' - Williams beats Higgins in dramatic decider to move into semis
Video credit: TNT Sports
Former Crucible winners Mark Williams, John Higgins and Luca Brecel return to action on the opening day of the new snooker season at Leicester's Mattioli Arena on Sunday.
Williams - who lost 18-12 to Zhao Xintong in the final of the World Championship last month - will take on Chatchapong Nasa of Thailand at 19:00 UK time in the qualifying round for the Wuhan Open.
Fellow 'Class of 92' icon John Higgins begins his campaign earlier on Sunday against Huang Jiahao of China at 14:30, with 2023 Crucible winner Luca Brecel up against Haris Tahir at the same time.
Brecel dropped out of the top 16 after a poor run of form last season, but will aim to make a fast start to the new season as world No. 39.
Si Jiahui lost 10-7 to Xiao Guodong in last year's Wuhan Open final and will meet Bulcsu Revesz in his opening match on Sunday afternoon.
Meanwhile, Masters champion Shaun Murphy faces an intriguing qualifier against 14-year-old Polish rookie Michal Szubarczyk on Monday afternoon at 14:30.
Neil Robertson also faces a newcomer to the main circuit when he faces 19-year-old Irish hopeful Leone Crowley at the same time before Mark Selby takes on Alexander Ursenbacher at 19:00 in Monday evening's session.
Ursenbacher finished outside of the top 64 last season, but came through Q School in Leicester to regain his tour card.
The final day of qualifying for the ranking event is staged on Tuesday, with Kyren Wilson facing another Q School graduate in Connor Benzey at 14:30 and Barry Hawkins up against Julien Leclercq.
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'He's creating so much energy' - Brecel pulls off three-ball plant against Ding
Video credit: TNT Sports
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Matches involving defending champion Xiao, world No. 1 Judd Trump and seven-time Crucible winner Ronnie O'Sullivan have been held over to the finals venue, with the competition being staged between August 24 and 30.
O'Sullivan has been handed a match against Allan Taylor in what could be his first appearance of the season at a ranking event, with Trump up against Farakh Ajaib and Xiao meeting former women's world champion Mink Nutcharut.
Elsewhere, former UK and Masters champion Mark Allen will also begin his title bid in Wuhan against a wildcard opponent.
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