Northern Ireland Open results: Brown reaches last 16 as Higgins exits

October 22, 2026 The Belfast Desk 0 Comments

Jordan Brown kept home hopes alive in the Northern Ireland Open results on Wednesday, edging Michael Holt 4–3 to reach the last 16 at Belfast’s Waterfront Hall.

Snooker balls and cue illustrating the Northern Ireland Open results and Thursday fixtures — The Northern Ireland Open continues at Belfast’s Waterfront Hall, with quarter-final places at stake on Thursday. Illustrative image.

The Antrim player will face Scott Donaldson on Thursday 22 October for a quarter-final place, after another day of deciding-frame finishes and departures for established names.

John Higgins and Stuart Bingham were eliminated, while Mark Williams progressed and Cheung Ka Wai continued his impressive Belfast run.

Brown sets up Donaldson showdown

Brown followed his opening-round victory over Mark Allen by coming through a seventh-frame decider against Holt.

His reward is a meeting with Scotland’s Donaldson, who defeated Noppon Saengkham 4–1 on Wednesday evening.

Their match forms part of Thursday’s evening session, with Brown bidding to give the home crowd another quarter-final appearance to celebrate.

Elsewhere in the evening, David Gilbert overcame Gao Yang 4–3, Martin O’Donnell beat Luca Brecel 4–2 and Elliot Slessor defeated Jamie Jones 4–1.

O’Donnell’s victory followed his earlier elimination of Judd Trump and earned him a last-16 meeting with Williams.

Higgins beaten as Cheung continues impressive run

Jak Jones recovered from 2–1 behind to beat Higgins 4–2, producing consecutive centuries of 121 and 133 as he took control.

The Welshman, already a winner at the Championship League and British Open this season, will next face compatriot Daniel Wells. Wells advanced with a 4–3 victory over Ryan Day.

Cheung followed his opening-round win over Ronnie O’Sullivan with a 4–0 whitewash of Bingham. Breaks of 56, 54 and 111 helped the Hong Kong player reach the last 16 of a ranking tournament for the first time.

Williams defeated Zhang Anda 4–2, finishing with breaks of 78 and 58.

There were also deciding-frame victories for Pang Junxu and Sam Craigie. Pang cleared with 81 in the final frame to beat Liam Davies 4–3, while Craigie survived a comeback from Xu Si before settling their contest with a break of 75.

Full Northern Ireland Open results — Wednesday 21 October

Pang Junxu 4–3 Liam Davies
Cheung Ka Wai 4–0 Stuart Bingham
Jak Jones 4–2 John Higgins
Daniel Wells 4–3 Ryan Day
Sam Craigie 4–3 Xu Si
Mark Williams 4–2 Zhang Anda
David Gilbert 4–3 Gao Yang
Jordan Brown 4–3 Michael Holt
Scott Donaldson 4–1 Noppon Saengkham
Martin O’Donnell 4–2 Luca Brecel
Elliot Slessor 4–1 Jamie Jones

Thursday preview: quarter-final places at stake

Brown’s meeting with Donaldson provides the main local interest as the remaining 16 players compete for places in Friday’s quarter-finals.

Cheung faces Gilbert in another intriguing contest. Having already beaten two former world champions this week, Cheung now meets an opponent who came through a deciding frame on Wednesday.

Williams takes on O’Donnell, whose victories over Trump and Brecel underline the challenge facing the Welshman.

The afternoon session includes Kyren Wilson against Pang, while Anthony McGill faces Mateusz Baranowski. Matthew Selt meets Craigie, and Slessor takes on Ricky Walden.

The evening also features an all-Welsh contest between Jak Jones and Wells. Thursday’s matches are played over the best of seven frames.