Kyren Wilson returns to form at English Open, Neil Robertson suffers huge disappointment

The first round of the 2026 English Open snooker championship officially took place in Brentwood, England. Right from the opening day, the tournament witnessed many surprising results. The focus was on the performance of 2026 World Champion Kyren Wilson. He secured a fairly comfortable victory over Poland's Mateusz Baranowski, thereby advancing to the second round. Meanwhile, two-time tournament champion Neil Robertson caused great disappointment by losing 3-4 to Luo Zetao, a player ranked 117th in the world. Wilson came into this tournament in a rather negative context. At the British Open last week in Cheltenham, he suffered a heavy defeat to Liam Highfield in the last 16. That made fans worry about the form of the 34-year-old. However, in the opening match of the English Open, Wilson showed the grit of a champion. He actively controlled the game, repeatedly producing accurate shots and scoring safely. Accordingly, Wilson did not really need a century break (100 or more points) to win. Two consecutive half-century breaks were enough for him to overcome Baranowski. Although the performance was not extremely outstanding, it was a sign of his revival after a forgettable period. Fans are looking forward to a stronger Kyren Wilson in the upcoming rounds. Wilson's next opponent will be Chang Bingyu, the young Chinese player who just won the Wuhan Open. Chang Bingyu is in very good form, and meeting him in the second round is a considerable challenge for Wilson. However, if Wilson maintains focus and plays to his ability, he can definitely advance. Meanwhile, Neil Robertson had an unforgettable day. Though heavily favored over Luo Zetao, Robertson could not protect his advantage. He at times took the lead but was then equalized. In the deciding frame, Robertson's lack of safety in his shots allowed Luo Zetao to clinch a 4-3 victory. This is a real shock of the tournament. Robertson's defeat shows that the gap between the top players and the rest is narrowing. In a sport that demands extreme concentration, one lapse can be costly. Luo Zetao seized his rare opportunity and caused the biggest upset of the opening day. Apart from these two centerpiece matches, Chris Wakelin also impressed by continuing his stable form. He needed a deciding frame to defeat Louis Heathcote. Meanwhile, Zhang Anda and Ding Junhui, two renowned Chinese players, both won their matches. Ding Junhui, Asia's greatest player, is always the name expected at big tournaments. The strong presence and performances of many Chinese players at the English Open this year demonstrate the rise of snooker in China. Chang Bingyu's Wuhan Open title and Luo Zetao's victory over Neil Robertson are clear evidence. They are no longer lucky underdogs but have well-prepared tactics and mentality. This tournament promises fierce competition between generations of players. For Kyren Wilson, getting past the first round is an important step. He will regain confidence and the best ball feel ahead of the clash with Chang Bingyu. Wilson proved at the 2026 World Championship that he never gives up. Vietnamese fans are also paying close attention to the tournament’s progress. Snooker is increasingly popular in Vietnam, and watching top-level matches live is a learning opportunity for young players. In summary, the 2026 English Open has delivered contrasting emotions already. A world champion rediscovered his form, while a former champion exited early. This promises a dramatic and unpredictable tournament. Can Wilson go deep and claim the title? Will there be more surprises? Let's wait for the next rounds.