German Masters holder Judd Trump knocked out in first round of the World Grand Prix while Shaun Murphy and Neil Robertson also crash out

German Masters champion Judd Trump is out of the World Grand Prix after a 5-2 loss to Yuan Sijun. In a session full of shocks, Shaun Murphy, John Higgins and Mark Allen also crashed out. Earlier, defending champion Neil Robertson lost heavily to Jak Jones, while Ronnie O'Sullivan made it safely through to the second round. Watch and stream the World Grand Prix live on TNT Sports and discovery+.

Reigning German Masters champion Judd Trump lost 5-2 to Yuan Sijun in the first round of shocks at the World Grand Prix, live on TNT Sports and discovery+.

Yuan's 103-break in the opening frame set the tone for the rest of the match and, despite a mid-match rally from the Ace in the Pack, he could not sustain the challenge against the 25th seed.

This added to previous drama in the day's play, where defending champion Neil Robertson suffered a chastening 5-1 loss to Jak Jones, while Ronnie O'Sullivan marked his return with a 5-3 win over Joe O'Connor.

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All four matches in the evening session saw the lower-seeded player win as Pang Junxu produced back-to-back breaks of 134 and 130 on his way towards thrashing Shaun Murphy 5-1.

Zhao Xintong edged out John Higgins 5-3 in a high-quality affair, with Zhao missing the 10th black on a max attempt in frame seven.

Mark Allen was also sent packing by Ali Carter, who won four of the last five frames to take a tense 5-4 victory.

'That is a pity! - Zhao makes 121 clearance to move clear of Higgins

Video credit: TNT Sports

Top seed Robertson knocked out by Jones

Robertson entered the tournament as one of the favourites having reached the semi-finals of last week’s German Masters before losing 6-1 to Shaun Murphy.

However, he was blown away by former World Championship finalist Jones, who secured a break of 71 in the sixth and final frame to wrap up a comprehensive victory.

Robertson started the match strongly, racking up an opening break of 46 in the first frame, but handed the initiative back to Jones when he missed a red, seemingly unhappy with the chalk on the cue.

Jones then edged into the lead before a string of safeties on the colours, which ended when Robertson missed a straight yellow which Jones then pocketed and eventually took the opening frame.

Jones was far more imperious in the second frame, securing a 2-0 lead thanks to a 56 break after a tense start from both.

However, Robertson halved the deficit with a break of 88 - the highest of the match, before Jones took the fourth frame in a 47-minute marathon.

Neil Robertson of Australia reacts during the round one matches of the WST World Grand Prix 2026 against Jak Jones of Wales at Kai Tak Arena on February 4, 2026 in Hong Kong, China.

Image credit: Getty Images

The Thunder From Down Under played for snookers throughout the frame, even when it looked lost, but The Silent Assassin eventually pocketed the pink to bag a tense but crucial frame.

Robertson barely had a look-in in the fifth frame, conceding after Jones’ 80 break put it beyond reach, before racing away in the final frame, finishing with a tidy pot of the pink ball.

Quick turnaround and jet-lag affect Robertson's defence

While this defeat was no doubt disappointing for world No. 3 Robertson, it was hardly surprising given the nature of the recent schedule.

The Aussie had just three and a half days between the conclusion of his semi-final against Murphy in Berlin before taking on Jones in Hong Kong.

The short turnover, exacerbated by jet lag due to the seven-hour time difference, will no doubt have affected Robertson’s performance, who cut a morose and frustrated figure throughout.

Jones, in contrast, had two extra days to prepare for the match, having fallen in the second round of the German Masters.

It is by far the shortest turnaround between ranking events in different countries, with players getting at least a week’s break before other majors in China and Saudi Arabia - raising questions about the scheduling of the tour.

O'Sullivan shakes off slow start to reach second round

Ronnie O'Sullivan got his campaign off to a strong start, recovering from 2-0 down to beat Joe O'Connor 5-3.

Despite the sluggish start, O'Sullivan bounced back to level up at the break, before losing the fifth frame without scoring.

Ronnie O'Sullivan

Image credit: Getty Images

However, back-to-back breaks of 72 helped The Rocket take the lead for the first time, before cutting the pink to perfection to wrap up the match.

O'Sullivan won in Hong Kong in 2024, but has not won a major since and will hope to bag a record-extending 42nd title at the end of the week.

Elsewhere, Chris Wakelin thrashed Thepchaiya Un-Nooh 5-0, but Gary Wilson suffered a surprise 5-2 loss to Si Jiahui.

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