Oliver Lines Upsets Zhao Xintong in English Open First Round

In a surprising turn of events at the English Open, Oliver Lines defeated world number one Zhao Xintong with a score of 4-2 in the first round.

The match saw Zhao, the 2025 world champion, level the score at 2-2 after the first four frames, thanks to two century breaks. However, Lines, 31, responded with breaks of 77 and 84 to secure the next two frames, advancing to a last-32 matchup against Yuan Sijun in Brentwood.

In other matches, world number four Neil Robertson lost 4-3 to Luo Zetao from China, while former world champion Kyren Wilson triumphed over Mateusz Baranowski with a score of 4-1, and Ding Junhui, a three-time UK Championship winner, edged out Michael Holt 4-3.