English Open 2025 recap - Mark Allen recovers from four down to beat Elliot Slessor, after Mark Selby, Zhou Yuelong win deciders

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Welcome to our live text coverage of the English Open in Brentwood, Essex where quarter-finals day saw Luca Brecel in action against Zhou Yuelong and fellow former world champion Mark Selby face Jackson Page. In the evening session, Mark Allen played out an incredible match with Elliot Slessor and Jak Jones took on Aaron Hill.

'Never seen anything like it' - Allen pulls off heroic comeback to beat Slessor

Video credit: TNT Sports

One of the craziest matches you will ever see

Mark Allen produced an incredible comeback to beat Elliot Slessor 5-4, after being four frames down, and reach the semi-finals of the English Open.

The 2024 World Champion can scarcely have played worse in the opening four frames, included the most turgid of second frames which lasted over an hour. There were times when Allen’s body language suggested he wanted to be put out of his misery.

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After errors from Slessor let him in, Allen suddenly began showing glimpses of his best snooker with three half-centuries bringing him back to level the match.

In a suitably epic last frame, Slessor produced a good 57-break before missing a straight red into the middle and then ,in the proceeding tussle, twice potted colours (the blacks then pink) in-off and lost his composure.

There followed a tense safety exchange and after Slessor missed a tough cut to sink the last red, Allen slammed it home and then cleared up to the blue to go through to face Jak Jones in the semi-final, after the Welshman beat Aaron Hill 5-2.

In the other semi-final, Zhou Yuelong will meet Mark Selby after both won deciders against beat Luca Brecel and Jackson Page respectively.

Slessor fails to hide frustration after missing key shot - 'He's absolutely enraged'

Video credit: TNT Sports

Allen 5-4 Slessor

Allen cleared up to take a match he had no right to win,

Allen 4-4 Slessor (61*-57)

A snooker from Slessor sees Allen leave him a difficult opportunity to cut in the last red, and after he misses Allen drives it in with a mid-range straight pot. The game looks his now.

Allen 4-4 Slessor (54-57)

Allen pots two good reds and leaves himself on a tricky red down the cushion which he chooses not to take on.

Allen 4-4 Slessor (39-57)

Allen left himself too near the cushion attempting a red and saw it bounce off the right middle jaw, fortunately not leaving a pot on for Slessor.

Allen 4-4 Slessor (19-57)

Slessor this time plays a snooker behind the blue only for a red to deflect against the pink and send it into the pocket. Allen makes Slessor play the snooker and he plays a hit and hope, connecting with a red, but leaving an attractive table for Allen to clear up.

Allen 4-4 Slessor (13-57)

The drama! Slessor pots the black in off, after poor positional play stopped Allen building a score. No red was left on for the Ulsterman though.

Allen 4-4 Slessor (1*-57)

He has done this a number of times in this comeback of Allen. After building a good break, Elliot missed a red he should have potted - a straight red into the middle. Allen then fires a long red into the green pocket. There is only one particularly tough red for Allen to negotiate.

Allen 4-4 Slessor (0-35*)

After being potted, the pink with its spot covered, is placed at the bottom of the pack, but despite this Slessor opens up the pack very well and has a number of pottable reds to put the match near out of range.

Allen 4-4 Slessor (0-1*)

Pressure? What Pressure. Slessor opens the decider with a fantastic long pot.

Allen 4-4 Slessor

Allen cues perfectly to slot the straight long black to level things up and force a decider.

'Who would have thought it?!' - Allen lands beautiful red to win fourth straight frame

Video credit: TNT Sports

Allen 3-4 Slessor (59-52*)

A fantastic break of 59 ends with Allen missing a mid-range pink. Slessor then pots a brilliant pink. If he pots the black it will be re-spoted.

Allen 3-4 Slessor (32*-46)

Allen keeps the break going with a brilliant long pot. He looks at the top of his game now.

Allen 3-4 Slessor (10*-46)

The table looks very nice for Allen now. He knows he can't afford a mistake, but you don't really see him making one at present.

Allen 3-4 Slessor (0-46)

Not being perfect on the blue, meant he had to leave himself a mid-range red, but a straight pot should not have been missed.

Allen 3-4 Slessor (0-32*)

They broke pretty well! He went into them off the black and really can have no excuse if he doesn't win the frame at this visit.

Allen 3-4 Slessor (0-19*)

Slessor nudged the pack powering in a red, freeing up another, but he will soon have to go into the pack and the match may sway on the way they open up.

Allen 3-4 Slessor (0-5*)

Allen pots a very good long red but the cue ball goes into the left middle leaving Slessor an easy pot to begin a break.

Allen 3-4 Slessor (0-0)

Slessor takes on a straight red into the middle pocket but hits the far jaw.

Allen 3-4 Slessor

A penny for Slessor's thoughts after that break of 76. from Allen.

Allen 2-4 Slessor (83*-5)

The frame is won now and Allen showed his confidence going around the table to move a red off the cushion.

Allen 2-4 Slessor (36*-5)

With the black open into both pockets, it looks inevitable Allen will reduce the deficit to one shortly.

Allen 2-4 Slessor (14*-5)

Allen with a good mid-range pot and he has left himself on the pink.

Allen 2-4 Slessor (13-5)

Allen lost position and missed an attempted thin contact on a red, having to play it again. To be fair he was always smling even when the game was going away from him, but the wryness has left his expression.

Allen 2-4 Slessor (8*-1)

The break ends but Slessor gives Allen another chance immediately. The worm has turned it appears.

Allen 2-4 Slessor (6*-1)

A stupendous long pot from Allen digging down on the cue ball from under the baulk cushion.

Allen 2-4 Slessor (0-1)

Slessor with a good long pot and he then leaves a devilish snooker behind the green.

Allen 2-4 Slessor

Slessor concedes meaning the deficit is reduced to two. Slessor will be feeling some pressure now.

Allen 1-4 Slessor (66*-19)

Allen has now left Slessor needing snookers, but he fails to hold for the blue spot which means he can't put the frame beyond doubt. Slessor needs two snookers.

Allen 1-4 Slessor (33*-19)

Allen pots a good red and follows up with the black and now has a chance to put the frame beyond Slessor.

Allen 1-4 Slessor (25-19)

Once more Slessor misses a black he would expect to have potted and leaves Allen with a red on, which he pots with the rest, but is close to a touching ball with the blue.

Allen 1-4 Slessor (24-11*)

Slessor is left with a shot with the cue ball close to a red, but manages a pot and now you'd have to say it is a chance to take the match.

Allen 1-4 Slessor (24-4)

The break ends but the table is left in a situation where the next player to pot can expect to make a big break.

Allen 1-4 Slessor (8*-0)

A good long pot from Allen and he is on the black from it.

Allen 1-4 Slessor

Finally Slessor concedes and Allen is on the board at last.

Allen 0-4 Slessor (55-36)

Slessor produces a superb snooker behind the black on the left cushion near the bottom-left pocket, with the pink at the baulk end. Allen gets out of it though.

Slessor lands 'dream' snooker - but watch how Allen responds

Video credit: TNT Sports

Allen 0-4 Slessor (55-36)

Allen leaves himself a tough pot on the pink but Slessor needs a snooker to be in a position to force a re-spotted black.

Allen 0-4 Slessor (43*-36)

What a shot! Who could have thought after playing so badly he could bring the red away from the pink on the bottom cushion and set himself up to continue the break.

'After the mediocre, comes the marvellous' - Allen executes wonderful pot

Video credit: TNT Sports

Allen 0-4 Slessor (33*-36)

Allen's body language still looks uncertain but he has now just about brought himself level in the frame after a good yellow. The break will end shortly as the last red is not pottable on the bottom cushion.

Allen 0-4 Slessor (1*-36)

It's not over! Slessor left himself near the cushion and low on the black and saw it bounce off the jaws. Allen is left an easy pot.

Allen 0-4 Slessor (0-21*)

Allen looks like he would be happy to be put out of his misery. And he soon may be. He leaves Slessor a chance on a table with multiple open reds.

Allen 0-4 Slessor (0-20)

It is hard to think of a time when Allen has been in poorer touch. He played a safety bringing the cue ball to baulk and ended up bringing a red back with it, fortunately not leaving a pot on.

Allen 0-4 Slessor (0-20)

Allen misses a long red by a long way but then Slessor also fails a tougher thin cut into the middle pocket.

Allen 0-4 Slessor (0-20)

He goes into the reds again off the black and only leaves himself a tough red into the middle which he misses.

Allen 0-4 Slessor (0-13*)

Slessor opens up the reds a little to help his chance of making it a big break, but a few good shots reuired to make it a match-winning chance.

Allen 0-4 Slessor (0-4*)

Slessor misses a long red and then Allen is a little unlucky to see a red bounce out of the middle pocket. Slessor then gets on the board using the rest.

Jones beats Hill 5-2

A stodgy seventh frame is eventually won by Jones and he will now face Slessor or, if he can mount a big comeback, Allen.

Allen 0-4 Slessor

The break ends at 40 but it is enough to put Slessor one frame away from victory.

Allen 0-3 Slessor (15-70*)

Allen now requires snookers and Slessor is closing in on a whitewash.

Allen 0-3 Slessor (15-37*)

Allen laughs in disbelief as he misses an easy red. Slessor can put him away now.

Allen 0-3 Slessor (10*-36)

Very unlucky for Slessor as the ball glues between two reds as he looks to maneouvre them. He ends up leaving a red on for Allen, which he puts away and gets a nice cannon to set himself on the blue.

Allen 0-3 Slessor (9-1*)

Slessor makes a good mid-range pot and now has a good chance of building a break, especially with the black not too far away from being in play.

Allen 0-3 Slessor (9-0)

Allen tries to play a safety off the bottom cushion and clip a red on the way back up, but makes a thick contact and is lucky not to leave an easy pot on.

Allen 0-3 Slessor (9-0)

Slessor going for the thinnest contact on a red, misses twice and is warned if he does so again he will lose the frame, so goes for another red - and plays a very good safety.

Allen 0-3 Slessor (1-0)

Allen with a mid-range pot but he gets an unwanted cannon on a red preventing him getting on a colour. The black being out of commission at present will make break-building hard.

Allen 0-3 Slessor

The break ends on the final black preventing the first century of the match, with it ending on 76.

Allen 0-2 Slessor (0-87*)

Slessor is now over the line in the frame and it will be an uphill struggle for Allen to win the match now.

'There's a beauty!' - Slessor slots in green to win 65-minute frame with Allen

Video credit: TNT Sports

Allen 0-2 Slessor (0-41*)

The frame looks eminently winnable in this visit now.

Allen 0-2 Slessor (0-27*)

The break ends and he is a little unfortunate to fall out of position, but Slessor plays a good safety shot and it draws a loose one from Allen, giving the underdog another chance.

Allen 0-2 Slessor (0-6*)

A fine long pot from Slessor has him with a chance to build a decent break in this frame.

Jones 4-2 Hill

On the other table, Jones is now one frame away from victory after clearing down to the pink to steal the sixth frame.

Allen 0-2 Slessor

Slessor adds the blue and one of the longest frames of the year is over.

Allen 0-1 Slessor (37-59*)

A fine good green from Slessor, leaves himself on the brown and now Allen needs a snooker.

Allen 0-1 Slessor (37-52)

We have now passed the hour mark in this frame.

Allen 0-1 Slessor (37-52)

Slessor with a very good snooker behind the brown on the baulk cushion. He gets a foul, but Allen hits the green the second time and leaves it safe.

Allen 0-1 Slessor (37-48)

Allen pots his first ball in 40 minutes, he gets a round of applause from all, including Slessor. That is the end of break though.

'Ironic applause' for Allen after first pot in 39 minutes following fan’s plea

Video credit: TNT Sports

Allen 0-1 Slessor (35-48)

Allen calls a foul on himself for touching the pink he was stretching over. It breaks the points drought but not our second long wait for a pot.

Allen 0-1 Slessor (35-42)

After failing to get position off the last red, Slessor leaves Allen a snooker and the Ulsterman goes in off. Fortunately for him, he does not leave the yellow in an easily pottable position.

Allen 0-1 Slessor (35-25*)

After nearly 18 minutes, we have a pot! And after a good pink with the rest, Slessor has a chance to get in front here. The green by the right cushion will be difficult to pot.

Allen 0-1 Slessor (35-18)

We could be in for a long night! Neither player is going to give the other player an easy pot here.

Allen 0-1 Slessor (35-18)

It is a war of attrition now. The last three reds are all in difficult positions to pot at present.

Allen 0-1 Slessor (34-18)

Allen failed to build a break but the table is now open and the next one to pot a red has a chance to make it pay.

Allen 0-1 Slessor (24*-18)

Allen pots a good long red and manages to get the black back in play.

Allen 0-1 Slessor (11-18)

The break ends for Slessor. This frame will almost certainly be won, either way, in instalments.

Allen 0-1 Slessor (11-14*)

Just as Slessor missed a black off the spot, Allen misses a similarly easy pink off the black spot. The pink is now amid a cluster of reds so Slessor only has the baulk colours pottable at present.

Allen 'leaps up in the air' after missing pink - 'Don't know what went wrong'

Video credit: TNT Sports

Allen 0-1 Slessor (1*-9)

An inexplicable black missed off the spot from Slessor, leaving an untidy table, but enough pottable reds for Allen to take on.

Allen 0-1 Slessor (0-1*)

Allen misses a long pot and gifts Slessor an easy first pot in the second frame.

Selby reveals an issue with table

'You can just feel the moisture' - Selby shares interesting theory on 'tough' conditions

Video credit: TNT Sports

Allen 0-1 Slessor

A break of 91 in the end for Slessor, exactly the start he'd have wanted.

Allen 0-0 Slessor (8-70*)

It started off a bit shaky, but a good half-century has secured the opener for Slessor.

Allen 0-0 Slessor (8-30*)

After a couple of good pots, the table now looks pretty open for Slessor, albeit his positional play is far from precise at present.

Allen 0-0 Slessor (8-21*)

A scrappy period of play ends with Slessor fluking a pot of one of a cluster of balls around the bottom left pocket.

Allen 0-0 Slessor (8-14)

Allen lost position and then Slessor potted a fine plant of the red left over the bottom left cushion but went in off.

Allen 0-0 Slessor (1*-14)

Slessor first with his hand on the table, but he loses position and then sets Allen up with an easy pot to start a response.

Jones 2-1 Hill

On the other table, Jones won a scrappy second frame and then a 53-break in the third has given him the slight advantage in the match.

Allen 0-0 Slessor

Our main attention will be on this match now. Slessor has been in fine form this season and will give Allen all he can handle here.

Selby 5-4 Page

A total clearance of 131 gives Selby victory, he will play Zhou Yuelong in the semi-final tomorrow.

Selby overcomes Page in decider with 'very fine' century to make semi-final

Video credit: TNT Sports

**Selby 4-4 Page (104*-0)**

There may be few players to have played the game you would prefer in a decider than Mark Selby and, not for the first time, after a period of scrappy snooker, he has sealed victory with a century.

**Selby 4-4 Page (67*-0)**

A fantastic shot from Selby potting the black and nudging the red next to the pink has, effectively, won him the frame. Page now requires snookers.

**Selby 4-4 Page (53*-0)**

Selby rolls in a black but doesn't get the kiss on a red above it he wanted and needs a good red down the right cushion to continue his break.

**Selby 4-4 Page (23*-0)**

Brilliant power off the blue into the reds and they look to have split very nicely. A strong chance for Selby now.

Selby 4-4 Page (9-0)

Selby first with his hand on the table after a fine long red and if he can break up the reds it could quickly turn into a frame winning chance.

Selby shows nerves of steel in decider with Page to make 'tremendous pot'

Video credit: TNT Sports

Selby 4-4 Page

Such an intriguing player Page. A brilliant potter, but so often has a negative body language when his positional shots go a little awry. A very good break of 54 there, though, to force a decider.

**Selby 4-3 Page (6-19*)**

Another good pot from Page but he needs to make one of these chances pay.

Selby 4-3 Page (6-12)

Selby goes into the pack off the yellow and side cushion but the cue ball nestles in the reds, so it is end of break.

**Selby 4-3 Page (1*-12)**

After a safety battle, Page pushes a red over the bottom right pocket, gifting Selby an opportunity to build a score.

**Selby 4-3 Page (0-6*)**

A poor long pot attempt from Selby gives Page a chance to build a break now.

Selby 4-3 Page (0-3)

A brilliant long pot from Page and then he follows up with a good yellow but gets an unlucky ricochet and has to play up to baulk.

On the other table...

Jones 0-1 Hill

A break of 73 gave Aaron Hill the first frame of the evening match.

Selby 4-3 Page

It's Page who has the first opportunity to break the stalemate and does so easily, but can't add more than one point to his tally after he undercuts the blue.

And it's Selby who gets the chance to clean up as he widens his lead even more, taking control at a crucial moment.

Page needs snookers but Selby keeps going. He cleans up all but the black and leads for the first time since the opening frame.

And he is one frame away from the semi-finals.

Selby 3-3 Page (47-17)

Here we go! Selby now has a chance to have a decent break. He quickly overtakes Page but there are still a fair few reds on the left-hand cushion, which will not be easy to deal with.

He eventually runs out of options with four reds remaining but a 46 break has come at a very useful time and Page has no clear shot either.

Selby 3-3 Page (1-16)

Finally! Selby pots to produce a change of score, but cannot add to it.

The matches scheduled to start at 7pm have indeed started on Table 2. Aaron Hill is taking on Jak Jones, and we will be giving regular updates on that match from here.

White explains why Page will be 'kicking himself'

‘You can’t miss this kind of shot’ – White explains why Page will be ‘kicking himself’

Video credit: TNT Sports

Selby 3-3 Page (0-16)

It seems like this match is destined to go the distance...

Page takes the lead but can't open up the reds as much as he'd like.

Again, we are into a rhythm of safety shots.

Page executes 'cheeky' double against Selby

Video credit: TNT Sports

Selby 3-3 Page

The Jester is starting to purr now. He makes this break look easy and Page can do nothing about it.

Selby sets up a plant which could help him break up the remaining group of reds and nails it. Fantastic.

This has been by far the most dominant frame of the match and Selby isn't letting off as he racks up the highest break of the match. Can he ton up?

Yes he can, and the Brentwood crowd applauds warmly. It ends on 111.

Selby 2-3 Page (6-0)

Selby starts well but gets into a sticky situation when he pots the blue, but leaves the white right next to the spot where the blue belongs.

Not much he can do about that and the referee confirms she had nowhere else to put the blue. Selby does an excellent shot off FIVE cushions to dig himself out of the snooker though.

Selby 2-3 Page

Once again, Selby needs a couple of snookers and manages to force a foul out of Page but needs one more.

Page, however, gets a very favorable angle and pots the final red to give him some much-needed breathing room and that will be that for the fifth frame.

Jackson Page is two frames away from the semi-final.

Selby 2-2 Page (22-72)

A couple of nervy moments for Page, but he gets a couple lucky bounces to take control of the fifth frame.

The next series of shots are anything but lucky as he bags the largest break of the match so far but misses an easy chance to leave Selby a glimpse of a steal.

Selby 2-2 Page (22-10)

Not an ideal start to the frame for Selby, who fouls immediately. Page overshoots one of his shots leaving him a tricky angle on the next red, which he misses letting Selby return to the table.

And the Jester looks eager to punish as he cannons into the bunch of reds, but leaves the cue ball in an awkward position and is ultimately miles away from the center pocket attempt.

Selby 2-2 Page (0-0)

Away we go for the second part of this match. It has been a tense, tactical battle and it is honestly anyone's game at this point.

The other four quarter-finalists, due to start at 7pm, might need to wait a bit longer to get playing at this rate.

McManus: Jackson is 'holding his own'

Alan McManus on TNT Sports: "Jackson might be kicking himself a bit but he's holding his own at a minimum.

"I think he is competing fantasticly today."

Selby 2-2 Page

Page goes on the charge, but misses a very simple chance to hand control back to Selby with three reds left on the table.

And Selby should wrap this frame up and does. An excellent frame from him just before the break to level up the match.

That frame was far quicker than the first three, but there is every reason to think this match will go the distance.

Selby 1-2 Page (60-0)

A poor break by Page gives Selby the chance to start the fourth frame aggressively. After the first four reds, the 147 is on.

Unfortunately, he has to go for a green eventually, but crucially breaks up the bunch when potting to keep him in control of the frame.

Nonetheless, this is his highest break of the match so far as he passes 50 and disturbs the bunch once more to give him options.

Can Selby win this frame on a single visit? No. Page has a chance to fight back.

Selby 1-2 Page

Selby pots a couple more and is running out of balls to force a snooker.

But Page finally pots the blue to give himself some breathing room before getting the pink to open up a 2-1 lead over the two-time champion!

Selby makes 'big mistake you don't see professional players do often'

Selby makes ‘big mistake you don’t see professional players do often’

Video credit: TNT Sports

Selby 1-1 Page (42-68)

Page fouls after being snookered. Four points to Selby. We are very much back into a tactical game here but Selby leads the red handy and Page should win the frame now.

Page misses the green and throws his hands up in disappointment. Selby needs a snooker to get back into this frame but we know he will make Page play this out.

Selby 1-1 Page (38-61)

Selby is still in this frame and Page can only watch on as he sees his hard-earned advantage taken away.

He pockets all but one of the reds before leaving Page snookered as he returns to the table.

Selby 1-1 Page (0-61)

Page immediately piles the pressure on Selby with an early snooker, before racing to an early lead, but will need to break up the reds at some point.

And he does so with some good cue work and looks in complete control of the third frame. He methodically picks up the points before missing a centre pocket with a sizable lead racked up.

Selby 1-1 Page

Just as Page did in the first frame, Selby keeps going in the hope of an error from his opponent and is making life very uncomfortable for Page.

But after Selby leaves the yellow open, he concedes the frame and we are all level, with well over an hour played.

Selby 1-0 Page (9-71)

Can Selby fight back? The reds are in tricky positions but he shows his class to dig out the black from close to the cushion and get it into the corner pocket before missing a red, which could well cost him the frame.

Page capitalises on the Selby error and should see out the frame. He pots the black to leave Selby needing a snooker and a loose shot brings Selby back to the table.

Selby 1-0 Page (1-54)

Will the upcoming frames be as tactical as the first one? The early shots in the second frame suggest so.

Page gets an opening after a Selby mistake and is clinical on the black several times to build up a lead.

He makes a mistake with six reds remaining but has built up a healthy lead.

'Never easy' - Selby rolls in sublime blue to take crucial frame in battle with Page

Selby rolls in sublime blue to take crucial frame in battle with Page - 'Never easy'

Video credit: TNT Sports

Selby 1-0 Page

Selby misses the yellow and Page soldiers on, needing Selby to snooker to find a way back into this frame.

The frame ticks on past the half-hour mark as Page keeps searching for that snooker - he is going to make Selby work for the frame.

Selby shows his experience to get out of a couple very tight situations and then pots the blue and pink to end the opener after 37 minutes.

Selby 0-0 Page (56-22)

Good play by Selby. There were two poorly placed reds but he was able to break them up whilst potting a pink. He needs all of the reds to win the frame though.

The last red is a tricky one, but he lines it up beautifully to slide it into the centre pocket.

Selby 0-0 Page (19-22)

Selby is finally off the mark too. But his options are few and far between and he struggles his way into the lead before missing a blue.

Page now has a decent opportunity to take control of the frame but misses an easy shot on the black to halt him in his tracks.

Selby 0-0 Page (0-13)

This is already a very tactical match, which you would imagine would suit Selby in the long run. Page is extending his early lead though and gets a fortunate richochet off the black to keep going.

However, we are quickly back to a safety game, with all of the reds in the bottom left hand corner.

Selby 0-0 Page (0-6)

Page is the first of the two to get going but is struggling to find colours to pot. After a couple of reds, the frame is back to a safety battle.

And off we go!

Selby is the big favourite, but Page has already eliminated two big names. Let's find out who will book their place in the semi-finals against Zhou Yuelong.

Coming up: Mark Selby v Jackson Page

Page has certainly been the giant killer of the tournament so far. He has already knocked out Neil Robertson and Shaun Murphy. Can he add a third big name to his tally?

He will have his work cut out against Mark Selby. The eighth seed has only dropped three frames so far and is the highest-ranked player left in the tournament.

Zhou 5-4 Brecel

At the interval, Zhou Yuelong looked nowhere. But he regained his composure and took the fight to Brecel, bagging three big breaks four frames to claw his way back to parity.

The final frame was nervy. It was long and it was very cagey. But Zhou took a narrow lead which he never let go of, despite Brecel's best efforts after the reds were cleaned up.

It is Zhou's first English Open semi-final and back to the drawing board for Luca Brecel, who will feel he has missed out on a good opportunity to win a wide-open tournament. Zhou will face the winner of Mark Selby v Jackson Page, which we will be bringing to you shortly.

In the meantime, enjoy this clip of Zhou's century in the eighth frame:

'Terrific stuff' - Zhou hits impressive century against Brecel

Video credit: TNT Sports

Zhou 5-4 Brecel

The match time ticks over three hours. Brecel goes for an audacious shot on the pink and leaves it hanging.

For a place in the semi-finals, and Zhou takes it! He is in the semi-finals from 4-2 down.

Zhou 4-4 Brecel (48-38)

Brecel makes a mistake but the blue might just be blocking the brown, which is on the cushion by the corner pocket. Not easy. Zhou goes for it but it bounces out but Brecel isn't set up here.

A few shots later, Brecel has an easy shot on the brown and takes it. He knocks off the blue too, but the pink will be much harder.

Zhou 4-4 Brecel (48-29)

Both are playing for snookers and Brecel opens up the brown in the process. Who will get the first chance at the green?

Zhou has an opening here, but it is far from straightforward. And he gets the green in off the brown! If he gets the brown here, he is all but certain of a semi-final spot but it is a very thin cut.

Instead he gets it safe.

Zhou 4-4 Brecel (45-29)

Brecel leaves a snooker. Zhou finds a way out. Brecel leaves another snooker. Zhou gets out but leaves the yellow handy.

Brecel pots and screws back for the green. But he turns it down to try and leave a snooker and fails! Crucially though, Zhou needs the brown too.

Zhou 4-4 Brecel (45-27)

Here comes Zhou. This could well be the match-winning break and he needs to calculate what he needs to win this frame.

He pots the final red with an 18-point lead. He needs the yellow and green to leave Brecel needing a snooker.

And he misses the yellow!

Zhou 4-4 Brecel (37-27)

The brown is hidden behind the pink and that will cause a problem later in the frame. For now, Brecel is cleaning up the remaining reds, but not scoring huge amounts in the process as the black remains untouched at the other end of the table.

Brecel misses one of the remaining two reds but has closed the deficit. What can Zhou do from here?

Zhou 4-4 Brecel (37-1)

Now then. Zhou calls for the rest and his shot at a red rebounds out. There is still a long way to go and there are plenty of tricky pots still on the board.

Over to you, Luca Brecel.

Zhou 4-4 Brecel (23-1)

Can Zhou build a big lead now? It's highly unlikely he can win the game with this break but he could make decent inroads.

The blue is open and Zhou is using it well to inch closer to victory. The break enters the 20s and Zhou is still going.

Zhou 4-4 Brecel (1-1)

The colours are not in good positions and Zhou proves that when he snookers himself. He slams his cue in frustration.

However, he leaves Brecel bereft of options who assesses the table for well over three minutes, calculating whether he can squeeze a red in past a green before going for it.

But he can't quite squeeze it through and Zhou has the advantage now.

Zhou 4-4 Brecel (0-1)

The magnitude of the occasion is certainly getting to both players. This match, and the tournament as a whole, is wide open.

And Luca Brecel gets on the board after 14 minutes! But he misses the green straight away!

Zhou 4-4 Brecel (0-0)

Ten minutes in and a ball still hasn't been potted. Here's a chance for Brecel though with a fairly straight pot to a centre pocket.

And he misses it!

Zhou 4-4 Brecel (0-0)

Who will take this match then? Zhou has been far better since the interval, but you feel like the first break in this frame could be pivotal, given how the table has opened up.

Zhou takes his time to decide what to go for before playing a safety shot. Tense.

Zhou 4-4 Brecel

We will go to a decider. But first, can Zhou get the 100+ break he has been threatening several times this match?

Yep, he ends on 113 in the end. On we go.

Zhou 3-4 Brecel (56-19)

Can Zhou make Brecel pay and take this match to a deciding frame. The reds are in play and the black is open. He eases past Brecel and keeps going. Zhou is closing in on this frame.

Zhou 3-4 Brecel (0-19)

This is Brecel's frame and match to lose now. But he misses the pink to hand the chance over to Zhou!

Zhou 3-4 Brecel (0-15)

Phenomenal pot from Luca Brecel gets him off the mark in the ninth frame and he breaks open the reds. Huge chance to set up a match win here.

Zhou 3-4 Brecel

And he misses the pink to deny himself a 100 break.

Brecel has the lead, but Zhou has the momentum. This match is bubbling up nicely.

Zhou 2-4 Brecel (79-8)

And he very much takes his chance. He has plenty of options across the table but needs to be flawless with Brecel one frame from victory.

Halfway through, things get awkward, but Zhou digs himself out of a hole, potting a red with the help of the bridge rest.

A key break at a key time and Zhou halves the deficit in the match.

Zhou 2-4 Brecel (1-8)

It's hardly been the most high-quality affair but the older table surface could be the reason why. Both Zhou and Brecel miss several chances to get on the board.

Brecel's hit-and-hope doesn't end well for him and Zhou has a chance to take control of this frame with the table opening up.

Zhou 2-4 Brecel

Brecel is yet to have a 100+ break this tournament, is this his chance? No, the run ends at 75 but more importantly, he is now one frame from victory.

Zhou 2-3 Brecel (1-60)

Brecel eyes up a plant, but cannot convert. It remains a cagey frame and this time it's Brecel to leave himself in an awkward position but gets out of it as he begins to get going.

The black is tied up but Brecel isn't worrying about that as he pots reds and pinks to race ahead. He pots the pink to leave him on the brink of taking the sixth frame.

Zhou 2-3 Brecel (0-7)

Ooohs and aaaahs as Zhou misses a long shot. Brecel pounces and is on the board. However, he goes for a thin green and just misses out.

Zhou 2-3 Brecel

Nope. It'll end at 95. Game on.

Zhou 1-3 Brecel (75-0)

Zhou offers Brecel another opening early on, but Brecel cannot convert. Could that be a turning point for Zhou?

He looks to capitalise and make hay, opting to break open the pack a little as he pockets the black for a 22-0 lead.

This is much better from Zhou as he controls the frame beautifully. He's running out of loose reds though but opens the reds up with a couple more pots to go to secure the frame.

This is Zhou's highest break of the game by far and he is on the brink of winning the frame. Can he get a 100+ break?

Zhou 1-3 Brecel (0-0)

We're back from the break. Luca Brecel is two frames away from a first semi-final since February.

What can Zhou offer to stop him getting there? Let's find out.

McManus: Brecel the 'more relaxed of the two'

Alan McManus speaking to TNT Sports: "Luca looks more comfortable and not as worried about defeat. He's definitely the more relaxed of the two."

Since the first frame, Zhou has been nowhere near the level he needs to be. Brecel leads 3-1 here and hasn't really gotten out of third gear yet.

Zhou 1-3 Brecel

A string of safety shots from both players. Perhaps the magnitude of the match is getting to them a little.

Wow. Zhou leaves one hanging on the edge of the pocket and it is now very much advantage Brecel.

Brecel widens his advantage and looks good value for a 3-1 lead. Zhou looks lost and Brecel easily takes the fourth frame.

Off we go for the mid-match break and Zhou has a lot of work to do if he wants to get back into this game.

Zhou 1-2 Brecel (0-27)

Zhou looks under a lot of pressure and Brecel is in the mood to make him pay. The Belgian Bullet is certainly playing the better snooker but is also getting the rub of the green with his set-up play.

What does Zhou have to offer to prevent a two-frame deficit? Well, we're about to find out...

Zhou 1-2 Brecel

Zhou does get on the board and needs to thread a red through a narrow gap to keep the streak going but just clips an adjacent red.

Brecel has a 29-point lead with three reds still on the table but is in a spot of bother. He finds a way out of danger and needs one more red for a 2-1 lead.

And he pots comfortably. Brecel continues but is unable to clean up, but it will not matter.

Zhou's pot success rate is at 81% and will need to improve if he wants to find a way back into this quarter-final.

Zhou 1-1 Brecel (0-36)

Zhou leaves a red hanging, immediately handing the momentum back to Brecel.

But it's Brecel's turn to miss a fairly comfortable shot, giving Zhou a second chance in this frame.

Zhou 1-1 Brecel (0-24)

Zhou tries a risky shot which lets Brecel get on the board with a thin-cut. He repeats the shot once more to pot the black as the game opens up and Zhou looks on with shock.

A third warning from the referee after another errant phone notification in the crowd isn't enough to disturb Brecel's rhythm.

However, a heavy kick after an attempted pot of the black halts Brecel's charge.

Zhou 1-1 Brecel

Just a reminder that we are now playing best of nine frames for the quarter-finals.

Neither player seems particularly willing to break open the cluster of reds befure Brecel ultimately forces Zhou to do so.

The match is yet to take off, with eight reds still remaining together, but Brecel begins to tackle the others, opening up the frame on his terms and bringing him in contention for a century break.

However, he leaves the green in an awkward position so will have to settle for 81, which is more than enough to level the match.

After a cagey start, Brecel has begun to show his talent.

Zhou 1-0 Brecel

Zhou gets the brown and blue to build an unassailable lead should he avoid a foul.

Brecel attempts to make life as difficult as possible but Zhou eventually pockets the pink to take an eventful opening frame.

Zhou 0-0 Brecel (55-46)

Brecel misses an ambitious shot on the red, looking to make up the deficit, leaving three reds open for Zhou.

The Chinese player, the last one remaining in the tournament, misses a fairly straightforward chance, opeining the door for Brecel to stage a comeback.

The Belgian races through the final reds to keep the frame alive and lines up the yellow and green with ease, but leaves the brown a little too straight and fails to convert.

Zhou 0-0 Brecel (47-1)

Slow start to the opening frame before Brecel opens his account with a long shot into the right hand pocket before leaving Zhou in a tricky spot which he takes over two minutes to get out of.

Zhou pots a lovely cannon but cannot set anything up after potting the yellow. However, he bounces back strongly and makes no mistake on the black before reeling off 44 points to build up a nice lead.

And off we go!

Here come the players

Out comes the Belgian Bullet, looking steely as he walks out, followed by Zhou Yuelong.

In case you missed it: Trump knocked out in last 16

Just in case you missed yesterday's action, here's a quick update for you.

Third seed Judd Trump suffered a surprise 4-3 loss to Elliot Slessor, leaving Mark Selby, who plays later this afternoon, as the highest ranked player left in the tournament.

Elsewhere, Mark Allen produced a gutsy comeback performance to recover from 3-1 down to triumph 4-3 over Ding Junhui.

Catch up with yesterday's action here.

Head-to-head: little to split the pair

Zhou and Brecel have met four times previously, with the head to head split at 2-2.

Brecel won the most recent encounter - the second round of last year's Scottish Open - 4-1 and his form in 2025 puts the Belgian as slight favorite coming into this meeting.

First up: Zhou Yuelong v Luca Brecel

Kicking things off this afternoon is 30th seed Zhou Yuelong against former finalist and world number 41 Luca Brecel.

Zhou has already knocked out two top-ten players in Mark Williams and Barry Hawkins and is looking to reach the semis of the English for the first time in his career.

Brecel, meanwhile, looks to regain the form that saw him win the World Championship two years ago.

Not much to split the two on paper, but who will be the first name in the semi-finals. Let's find out...

Here we go with today's exciting schedule with the quarter-finals.

Friday, September 19

12:00