Welsh Open 2026 recap - John Higgins thrashes Zhou Yuelong to set up Jack Lisowski clash after Barry Hawkins downs Neil Robertson
By Sanjay Suri
Updated 27/02/2026 at 22:57 GMT
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Recap from the quarter-finals of the 2026 Welsh Open. John Higgins thrashed Zhou Yuelong 5-0 in the evening session to set up a semi-final clash with Jack Lisowski. Neil Robertson fell to Barry Hawkins in the afternoon session, while Stuart Bingham went the same way against Lisowski. Watch and stream top snooker action, including the Welsh Open, live and on demand on TNT Sports and discovery+.
Push shot controversy as Robertson makes claim against Jones sparking VAR review
Video credit: TNT Sports
Higgins thrashes Zhou to reach semi-finals
John Higgins whitewashed Zhou Yuelong 5-0 to book his place in the Welsh Open semi-finals and set up a clash with Jack Lisowski.
The scoreline barely reflected the match though, as 'The Wizard of Wishaw' had to fight for every point in the opening three frames, which took well over two hours.
Neither player managed a break higher than 34 in the first three frames, but ultimately Zhou made more mistakes, including eight fouls in a row, as Higgins edged all three.
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'His extraordinary career at the top level continues' - Higgins wraps up win over Zhou
Video credit: TNT Sports
However, the five-time champion dominated from then on, blitzing through the fourth frame with a 75 break before capitalising on an error from Zhou to take the fifth with a 65 break.
Higgins will now face Lisowski, who cruised past Stuart Bingham 5-2, while Barry Hawkins, who knocked out Neil Robertson in the afternoon, will face Wu Yize after his comeback win over Jiang Jun.
All over! Higgins 5-0 Zhou
With one red left and awkwardly placed, Higgins walks away and Zhou concedes the frame and the match.
It has been a bruising night for Zhou Yuelong. The first three frames were cagey but John Higgins showed his class in the final two frames to cruise into the semi-finals.
He will face Jack Lisowski for a spot in the final.
Higgins 4-0 Zhou (61-16)
After a fortunate cannon, Higgins now has an excellent position to win the frame and the match.
The Wizard is still scoring heavily as he moves into the 30s and looks well on his way towards the semi-finals.
As he cruises past 50, Higgins needs the black here and gets it, with Zhou now requiring snookers to save the match.
Higgins 4-0 Zhou (1-16)
Another lovely ot from Zhou as he continues his strong return after the interval. This is his first opportunity in a while to build a proper break.
However, after having to switch hands, he misses the black and now Higgins can make hay.
Higgins 4-0 Zhou (0-5)
Zhou finds a fantastic angle to get off the mark but has to play a safety shot with no colour on.
Higgins then makes a right mess of things, missing everything, allowing Zhou to take the four points and play for safety again.
The players are back
Back to the action on this table. Can Zhou salvage some dignity and avoid a whitewash?
Jiang Jun leads Wu Yize 4-1
On the other table, Jiang Jun is one frame away from the semi-final, leading Wu Yize 4-1. He has been fantastic this tournament, dumping out the holder Mark Selby in the first round.
The winner will play Barry Hawkins while, should Higgins close this out, he will face Jack Lisowski.
Higgins 4-0 Zhou
Higgins misses the black and Zhou concedes, ending the break at 75.
By far the fastest frame of the match, and Higgins is one frame away from the semi-finals as we head into the break.
Higgins 3-0 Zhou (74-0)
This could be a mammoth break as Higgins pots the black to move on to 38 - the highest break of the match thus far.
Now on 61, Higgins has to hit the pink to cannon into the remaining reds, which works beautifully, and that should be the frame.
Zhou has been a spectator in this frame, and now it is a question of how high.
Higgins 3-0 Zhou (16-0)
Away we go for the final frame before the break. Zhou needs this one, psychologically more than anything else.
He misses a long red, setting it up nicely for Higgins to pot and get on the board. For most of this match, the table has been tough to play but this is not the case now.
Can Higgins build a substantial break?
Higgins 3-0 Zhou
Higgins needs green and brown for a 3-0 lead. He gets the green, but leaves the brown a bit more awkward than he'd like.
No problem for Higgins though! That will be the third frame. For context, the players have returned on the other table, where Jiang leads Wu 3-1.
Higgins 2-0 Zhou (42-30)
Zhou sends the red into baulk, and Higgins has a chance to pot.
And he takes it! That could be the third frame, with the colours now all out in the open.
Higgins 2-0 Zhou (38-30)
Another chance for Higgins now as Zhou leaves a red hanging after escaping a snooker. The Wizard pots, but doesn't nudge the other red enough to bring it out of the top cushion.
He plays for a snooker, bringing the brown into play in the process.
Higgins 2-0 Zhou (37-30)
Yep, Higgins has to play for safety. He does have a seven-point lead with two reds remaining.
All three frames have been at least half an hour, and Zhou will hope he hasn't been on the losing end every time.
Higgins 2-0 Zhou (31-30)
Zhou's safety isn't the best and Higgins now has a few loose reds to aim at and pots one, before lining up the blue.
Grimace from Higgins as the cue ball doesn't roll back as much as he'd like, leaving another tricky shot on the red.
The Scot finds the angle though, as the frame crosses the 30-minute mark. Despite potting the third-last red to take the lead, Higgins is running out of angles.
Higgins 2-0 Zhou (10-30)
Higgins pots the green, but also pockets a red with the follow through for yet another foul. Six reds remaining, all up against the top cushion.
Strap yourselves in. This could be a long one.
Higgins 2-0 Zhou (10-26)
There are still seven reds pressed against the top cushion, as well as one on the right-hand side behind the black. Those are the last eight remaining, as Zhou pots the final straggler.
Zhou pots the pink, but misses the cannon and snookers himself. He bangs his head on the table in frustration.
The English Open finalist does get out of and puts the cue into baulk, but Higgins then pots the long red that Zhou missed.
Higgins 2-0 Zhou (9-13)
We are over 20 minutes into the frame, and just four reds have been potted. Zhou goes for a risky red and pots it, but just like Higgins, he doesn't have a colour on.
He does a pretty good job at snookering Higgins, and the Wizard misses by a long way and fouls! Zhou can now take on the red too and finally build a break.
Higgins 2-0 Zhou (9-7)
Yet another frame that is a slow burn here, but finally Higgins pots a long red. Will he build a break?
No. He goes for a snooker instead but misses it, so Zhou can find his way out of danger pretty easily.
He goes for the red, misses, but gets away with it.
Higgins 2-0 Zhou (8-7)
Higgins pots the blue, but doesn't leave himself anything easy. After coaxing a ladybird off the table, Higgins eyes up a plant and gets it, but has left the cue ball in baulk, such was the riskiness of the shot.
The Wizard goes for safety again, and Zhou needs to be patient and not force this frame.
Higgins 2-0 Zhou (2-7)
Oohs from the crowd as Higgins nearly gets a fluke. Instead he gets a good safety, and Zhou gives Higgins another chance after taking on and missing a long red.
Higgins pots and can now set about making the first meaningful break of the match from either player.
Higgins 2-0 Zhou (1-7)
Once again, Zhou is put into a nasty snooker by Higgins but, after taking over two minutes to assess his options, produces a superb shot to find his way out.
In case you missed it, he got into all sorts of trouble in the second frame, needing nine attempts to wriggle out of a snooker.
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‘Crucially he's not left a red on’ - Zhou escapes from snooker at ninth attempt
Video credit: TNT Sports
Higgins 2-0 Zhou (1-7)
It's been fairly tight so far, but Zhou has lost his nerve at crucial moments and finds himself 2-0 down. Still plenty of time though.
Zhou misses a long red by quite some distance, and doesn't get away with it. Higgins takes the waiting red, but pots the cue ball when potting the black!
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'Best doubler in the game' - Higgins sinks double to take frame
Video credit: TNT Sports
Higgins 2-0 Zhou
Higgins can't quite cut the blue in and Zhou concedes. He will want to forget that frame in a hurry, but the bigger concern is that Higgins is 2-0 up.
Higgins 1-0 Zhou (79-27)
Higgins can't quite cut a long red enough but gets away with it. Zhou fouls again, clipping the blue after lining up the red.
Higgins then converts, with the help of the spider, and then pots the black to leave Zhou needing snookers.
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‘Possibly the worst safety shot I've seen him play’ - Higgins stuns with poor safety
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Higgins 1-0 Zhou (66-27)
Rinse and repeat for Zhou, who fouls again, and again. Higgins declines the free ball, so will it be third time lucky for Zhou?
He's missed it again! And a fourth time! This is incredible...
Make that five! He's getting further and further away as he misses the sixth attempt. The record is 16, in case you were wondering...
Zhou tries a different angle, but undercooks it for a SEVENTH foul. Higgins considers playing the red but decides to give Zhou another go, much to the crowd's amusement. Zhou now makes it eight.
Finally, on the ninth attempt, Zhou Yuelong plays a legal shot!
Higgins 1-0 Zhou (34-27)
Jiang Jun leads Wu Yize 2-1 on the other table, emphasising the slow nature of this game, nearly an hour in.
Zhou fouls, millimetres away from grazing the red on a safety shot, and Higgins will take it on.
He finds the corner pocket, but the cue ball drifts into baulk, and Higgins has to leave a snooker.
Higgins 1-0 Zhou (29-27)
That is sensational from Zhou! He cuts into the centre pocket to finally break the string of safeties.
There are chances aplenty on this table, but the black is his only colour readily available, with the pink on the top cushion.
Having said that, he manages to use the green and the blue too, but, after leaving a lack of an angle on the blue, he eventually gets out of position and, with a shake of the head, plays a safety shot.
Higgins 1-0 Zhou (29-4)
Higgins now has to open up the reds on his safety shot, but shows good cue control to get the ball back into baulk.
Will Zhou go for the long red? No, he too plays for safety.
Now Higgins decides he will take it on. But fortune does not favour the bold. At least he hasn't left anything on.
Higgins 1-0 Zhou (29-4)
Higgins still has a couple reds he can play for before he needs to break open the pack. He plays for the one just above the black, and follows up by potting the black.
Another red, and now he needs to split the pack. Unfortunately, the break doesn't go his way, and it's a touching ball as well.
Higgins 1-0 Zhou (1-4)
Zhou is immediately on the board in the second frame with a long red, but leaves the cue ball in baulk with the reds still largely clustered together.
What a good shot that is though, playing the green and leaving himself on a red at the top end, but he can't cut it in!
These pockets are so unforgiving and Higgins is more than eager to accept Zhou's gift.
Higgins 1-0 Zhou
The safety shots are getting better and better as Zhou nearly snookers Higgins. He can see a sliver of the pink, but manages to dig it out behind the black and send it to baulk.
The frame time passes 40 minutes. Will Higgins try a double here? He is and he gets it! That will be the frame.
A nervy one but Higgins takes it.
Higgins 0-0 Zhou (49-43)
Here is Zhou's opportunity, he has to take it.
He gets the blue, and now just needs to roll the pink into the corner, but it's far harder than it looks.
He misses by a mile! But it's not on for Higgins either...
Higgins 0-0 Zhou (49-38)
Higgins needs brown and blue to win this opening frame, and should get them trouble-free. He pots the brown, but leaves an awful angle on the blue.
Back to the safety, but it's not a good safety shot at all!
Higgins 0-0 Zhou (42-38)
Or will he? He's left himself a tricky pot on the pink, and decides to play for the snooker instead.
Zhou does brilliantly to dig himself out of the snooker, but the yellow is pottable for Higgins.
And the Wizard delivers.
Higgins 0-0 Zhou (40-38)
Higgins takes the lead but is thinking one shot ahead and misses the pink, while also lining up the final red perfectly for Zhou!
But Zhou misses too on the centre pocket! What a let-off for Higgins who should seal the frame now, after knocking in the final red.
Higgins 0-0 Zhou (31-38)
Chance for Zhou here, and he delivers with a very fine cut into the centre pocket. Can he go on to take the frame now?
Not this time. He misses a red and Higgins can now return with a pretty open table on offer.
And he cuts a red into the corner pocket to get going.
Higgins 0-0 Zhou (30-34)
Back to a safety game for now, and Higgins has played an absolute beauty to leave the cue ball tight on the baulk cushion.
Zhou misses a long red, before Higgins plays a safety with a shot of similar difficulty.
On the other table, Wu has taken the first frame against Jiang.
Higgins 0-0 Zhou (30-34)
Despite potting fewer reds, Zhou moves into the lead as Higgins targeted the lower-scoring colours. Zhou tries to break open three reds on the right-hand side but somehow misses them all on the follow-through of a shot on the green.
He then goes for a long red, but cannot pot. Higgins returns, narrowly behind.
Higgins 0-0 Zhou (30-1)
Slow, methodical and inch-perfect from Higgins so far as he builds this break. However, the red he was lining up looks to be blocked off by the respotted brown.
Higgins goes for it anyway and does find an angle! His next red is also a pretty sharp cut, but he goes for an attacking shot, trying to break open the pack, but can't pot.
Zhou now returns to the table and gets off the mark. Chance to steal the first frame now.
Higgins 0-0 Zhou (1-0)
There have been a few smatterings of applause, but for the other table, as both Higgins and Zhou play strong safety shots.
The reds are getting scattered as both players stay at the top end, so this frame could turn very quickly.
The Wizard finally blinks, aiming for a red at the centre pocket, but pots it, and can now really stretch his legs in this opening frame.
Higgins 0-0 Zhou (0-0)
Zhou to break and get things underway on table one. For the last time this tournament, we will have two matches happening simultaneously.
The winner of this match will face Jack Lisowski in the semi-final tomorrow evening after his win over Stuart Bingham.
Just safeties to start with from both, keeping the cue ball at the top end for now.
Here come the players
Higgins has the form, Higgins is stronger head-to-head, and Higgins has far more experience winning big matches. Easy peasy?
Unlikely, especially when you consider the power of Zhou's scoring. He has eight more century breaks than Higgins this season.
Coming up: Higgins takes on Zhou
Can John Higgins make it a record-extending sixth Welsh Open this weekend?
Next in his way is Zhou Yuelong, who has finished runner-up in four majors and will be desperate to break that streak.
He has been playing some fantastic snooker this season too, coming agonisingly close in the 2025 English Open, but losing out to Mark Allen.
On the other table, we will be providing updates as Wu Yize takes on Jiang Jun.
Robertson knocked out as Hawkins and Lisowski reach Welsh Open semi-final
Neil Robertson wasted several opportunities as he fell to a 5-3 defeat to Barry Hawkins in the Welsh Open, despite outscoring his opponent in Llandudno.
The fourth seed dominated before the break, but found himself 3-1 down, despite getting a century break in the frame he won.
Despite rallying to 3-3, 'the Hawk' pounced on missed opportunities and foul shots from his opponent to edge a marathon quarter-final affair.
Elsewhere, Jack Lisowski continued his fine form to hold off a Stuart Bingham comeback and win 5-2.
Lisowski was imperious with his long shots, and raced into a 4-0 lead at the break.
However, Bingham came back stronger after the interval, and took the next two frames as Lisowski's nerves grew.
The seventh frame could have gone either way after Lisowski could not close out a break, but Bingham's inadvertent potting of the brown was the final curtain for his Welsh Open campaign, as Lisowski used the free ball to book his place in the semi-finals.
The pair will find out their opponents later on Friday, as five-time champion John Higgins takes on Zhou Yuelong while Jiang Jun meets Wu Yize, live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
All over! Bingham 2-5 Lisowski
Huge round of applause as Lisowski bags a potentially match-winning red before following up with the pink. He's there now.
He misses a red but it's all over!
Lisowski joins Hawkins in the semi-final!
Bingham 2-4 Lisowski (1-66)
Safety shots from both with five reds remaining. Lisowski almost accidentally pots the blue.
Bingham fouls, causing a slight delay as they reassemble the table.
Oh no! Bingham has potted the brown and Lisowski takes the green, then the black as his free balls.
Bingham 2-4 Lisowski (1-50)
Bingham misses a long red! Lisowski will have to play for safety but that still feels like a missed opportunity.
After a few more safeties Lisowski pockets a long red! A shot worthy of winning the match?
Lisowski has to play for safety.
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‘He's kind of given the frame away’ - Lisowski misses pink to open door
Video credit: TNT Sports
Bingham 2-4 Lisowski (1-49)
Warm applause as Lisowski pots a tricky red but has left himself with a tough angle on the blue. This could well be for the match.
And he misses it! Bingham rises from the canvas once more with plenty to play for in this frame.
Bingham 2-4 Lisowski (1-48)
Much, much better from Lisowski as the reds open up. Bingham looks resigned to his fate here.
It has been a good comeback after the break but Lisowski switches hands well to pot the pink right handed and move up to 48.
Bingham 2-4 Lisowski (1-1)
Bingham finds a plant to get on the board in the seventh frame! The momentum has completely shifted, but he has to go for safety on the black.
Lisowski looks so much more nervous with his shots now, but finds his composure to nail a long red!
Bingham 2-4 Lisowski
Lisowski gives Bingham a straight brown and he takes it!
And he goes on to take another crucial frame.
Bingham is still alive.
Bingham 1-4 Lisowski (53-50)
Bingham draws level with a pot on the yellow. Can he see this out with just the colours remaining?
He underhits his shot on the green and the brown is trickier than it should be.
And he cuts it too fine! Fortunately, Lisowski is snookered.
Bingham 1-4 Lisowski (30-50)
Lisowski is taking this chance now. He moves up to 50.
He goes for a long pink and misses it! Back comes Bingham.
Bingham 1-4 Lisowski (22-1)
Bingham looks to set up a cannon after potting the red, but he can't even get the red!
Worse still, Lisowski has an easy chance to get on the board and does so.
Bingham 1-4 Lisowski (7-0)
Can Bingham do the unthinkable and come back from 4-0 down? Still a long way to go.
Lisowski's attempts at long reds aren't coming off anymore. Once again, Bingham pounces on the opportunity and suddenly this isn't looking as safe for Lisowski
Bingham 1-4 Lisowski
Lisowski misses a red! Bingham cuts it in and that should be enough now, but he plays a safety on the black.
And Lisowski concedes. Bingham is on the board.
Bingham 0-4 Lisowski (58-1)
There have been some nervy moments in this frame, but it looks like it will go Bingham's way.
But he misses the pink! Lisowski is 58 behind with 59 remaining...
And he is underway.
Bingham 0-4 Lisowski (36-0)
Unfortunately for Bingham, he has to play for safety. Another cagey frame here.
Lisowski tries an all-or-nothing cut into a centre pocket and now, with a big lead and the reds scattered, Bingham should convert.
That's a good start, pocketing the red.
Bingham 0-4 Lisowski (28-0)
Lisowski has taken an age to look at this, before going for a safety shot, nestling the cue ball among three reds.
A few shots later, he takes a risk on a long red which doesn't come off.
Bingham does capitalise this time!
Bingham 0-4 Lisowski (27-0)
Bingham isn't letting this opportunity go. He marches his way into the 20s.
But he's missed another straightforward red when reaching! Lisowski can't quite cut the same red in so Bingham is still alive but will be ruing that miss.
Bingham 0-4 Lisowski (3-0)
The players are back. Bingham needs to do something remarkable here.
But he does get an opportunity early doors and takes it. He pots a difficult yellow too to keep going.
Watch: Lisowski increases lead with century
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‘Dashing break’ - Lisowski increases lead with century
Video credit: TNT Sports
Bingham 0-4 Lisowski
Bingham does return but, after missing the black, concedes.
Lisowski is just one frame away from the semi-final at the break.
Bingham 0-3 Lisowski (0-60)
It briefly looks like Lisowski has left himself too straight on the blue but he rectifies himself well and moves into the 50s. He needs just the red and the blue now.
And he gets both. Bingham can only tie at best without snookers, but Lisowski makes absolutely sure with another red.
Bingham 0-3 Lisowski (0-23)
Lisowski needs to play for safety after he got no luck from a cannon. Can Bingham profit? No, he misses a long red.
Jackpot then shows him how it's done, potting a long red of his own to pick up where he left off.
Bingham 0-3 Lisowski (0-17)
What a beauty! Lisowski knocks in a long red from miles out to get his break started. That has been the game in a nutshell.
He still has a lot to do in this break but Bingham needs to find something and fast.
All he can do for now though is sit and watch.
Bingham 0-3 Lisowski
That mistake from Bingham is looking very, very costly now as Lisowski virtually seals the frame. He now has a chance at a 21st century break this season.
The brown will bring up 100, with 118 possible. And he gets not only the century, but a monstrous 118 break to take complete control of this match.
Bingham 0-2 Lisowski (20-14)
Bad miss from Bingham, as he doesn't get enough angle on a red, leaving Lisowski to clean up and capitalise.
Lisowski is flying and there are enough loose reds to build a serious break here.
Bingham 0-2 Lisowski (5-0)
Bingham gets on the board but not for long, after he cuts a red too thin.
Once again, he's given Lisowski an opportunity to pounce on a long red, but this time he doesn't!
Bingham then returns to get a second break going. He needs to make this count.
Bingham 0-2 Lisowski
The safety shot wasn't the safest and Lisowski has another chance for a 2-0 lead, after potting another long red.
He should have enough now with two reds remaining. He has dominated Bingham thus far.
Missing the red off the cushion doesn't matter and Lisowski is 2-0 up.
Bingham 0-1 Lisowski (6-53)
This time he doesn't get away with it! Lisowski has spurned a golden chance and set Bingham up nicely.
And Bingham takes it! Can he salvage this frame?
Not yet, as he has to play a safety shot off the pink.
Bingham 0-1 Lisowski (5-45)
Lisowski takes a risky shot on a long red, which he misses by a mile, but again Bingham has nothing on to capitalise.
Bingham then goes for gold but misses, and Lisowski now has a far easier pot at the baulk end which he takes.
He pots the blue and this is a great chance to go 2-0 up.
Bingham 0-1 Lisowski (5-39)
This is fantastic snooker from Lisowski, scoring big despite the black being pretty locked up for now.
However, he's a bit high on this red, and it bounces back out after he tries to force it.
Fortunately, he hasn't left anything on for Bingham.
Bingham 0-1 Lisowski (5-11)
Chance for Lisowski now, as Bingham clips the blue, leaving a straight red for Lisowski, which he takes.
He does well to get himself onto the pink, through a corridor of reds, and lines it up into the centre pocket.
Jackpot then executes a plant to perfection to keep the break going.
Bingham 0-1 Lisowski (5-0)
But Bingham cannot capatalise, undercutting a red having used the rest.
Lisowski plays a safety shot.
Bingham 0-1 Lisowski (5-0)
Take two then. Lisowski breaks, but leaves Bingham with a chance on the centre pocket which he takes.
This is a decent chance, just like the one Lisowski was offered in the first frame.
Bingham 0-1 Lisowski (0-12)
Lisowski pushes the final red not in the bottom right corner next to the black. He and Bingham smirk and nod at eachother, and a re-rack will be taken.
Bingham 0-1 Lisowski (0-12)
Safety, safety, safety. Lisowski inadvertently pushes a red into the black, leaving it right on the edge of the pocket now.
We could be here for a while unless someone calls for a re-rack or pots the black.
Bingham 0-1 Lisowski (0-12)
Bingham gets a safety wrong and Lisowski has choices here.
With the help of the rest, he finds the corner pocket. Jackpot can't quite pot the black though and the break ends, with the black blocking off the corner pocket completely.
After Bingham misses a red in the opposite corner, it looks like we have a safety battle on our hands.
Bingham 0-1 Lisowski
Can Lisowski ton up? No. It will end at 70 but that's enough to take the opening frame.
Bingham 0-0 Lisowski (19-71)
Bingham undercuts a red towards the corner pocket, and Lisowski returns to pot the ball Bingham missed.
The table is pretty open for Lisowski to capitalise now. All of the reds are scattered and he passes 50 without much trouble.
This should be the first frame sorted now.
Bingham 0-0 Lisowski (1-9)
After a string of safeties, Lisowski gets another red, but will have to go for a long shot after potting the yellow.
It bounces out, and Bingham then lines one up into the centre pocket to get on the board.
Bingham 0-0 Lisowski (0-6)
No messing around from Lisowski, who goes for and pockets a long red with his first shot after Bingham's break.
However, he overhits the blue, and has to play a safety.
Next up: Lisowski v Bingham
Here come the players for the second quarter-final after that marathon match.
Northern Ireland Open champion Lisowski comes on first, followed by 2017 Welsh Open winner Bingham.
Who's your money on?
Watch: Robertson concedes frame after potting white
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‘Bizarre’ - Robertson concedes frame after potting white
Video credit: TNT Sports
All over! Robertson 3-5 Hawkins
Can Barry Hawkins finish with a flourish? The century break is very much on.
However, he'll fall short at 93 but that does not matter one bit. Hawkins has defeated Robertson and is the first player through to the last four at Llandudno.
Robertson 3-4 Hawkins (0-70)
Hawkins finds a feather touch to pot the black for his highest break of the match, at such a crucial point too.
The Hawk has not put a foot wrong in this frame and things are looking very, very bleak for Robertson.
Hawkins pots the black and that should be the game.
Robertson 3-4 Hawkins (0-34)
Hawkins gets another red and this time he can get his break up and running. This could well be for the match.
The reds are very open now. This could be it for Robertson.
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Robertson celebrates after avoiding potting white for third time
Video credit: TNT Sports
Robertson 3-4 Hawkins (0-1)
So, Hawkins is one frame away from a spot in the semi-final and Robertson needs to convert his big scoring to avoid defeat here.
Safety shot first but Robertson leaves a red hanging over the corner pocket.
Hawkins converts as a third phone goes off! The Hawk has to play a safety shot on the pink so Robertson will return.
Robertson 3-4 Hawkins
Robertson misses the green, and doesn't get much cover either. However, Hawkins cannot convert.
Now it's the Aussie's turn to leave a nasty snooker, but the Hawk escapes. He still doesn't want to go for the half chances though!
This time, he goes for it and he gets it! He misses the brown though, Robertson will return needing a snooker to have a chance.
He pots the brown, before playing a safety on the blue. But the cue ball goes into the corner pocket AGAIN and Robertson concedes the frame!
Robertson 3-3 Hawkins (30-52)
Hawkins is still in the driving seat in this frame as Robertson needs all the colours.
Another phone goes off, which will do little to relieve the tension.
Robertson 3-3 Hawkins (30-52)
Hawkins nearly flukes the red but not quite. Once again, we are at a big moment in a big frame.
The Hawk's safety pressure looks like it has finally told and he converts a set up to pot the final red.
Just the yellow and green required and he pots one, but the green will require more work.
And he can't quite get it! The frame is still alive for Robertson.
Robertson 3-3 Hawkins (30-46)
Robertson pots one of the reds but misses the yellow. Not only that, but he has left the cue ball in a favourable position for Hawkins to take out the two remaining reds.
Hawkins then plays a safety, which turns out to be a pretty nasty snooker.
He gets out of it and we are back to safety.
Robertson 3-3 Hawkins (29-45)
It's happened again! This time Robertson misses the long red, but again the cue ball rolls into the same corner pocket at the baulk end. Those eight points could be crucial later, but for now Hawkins plays a safety shot.
Ironic cheers as Robertson nearly does the same thing for a THIRD time, but this one falls short of the corner pocket.
Robertson 3-3 Hawkins (29-41)
Oh no! Claps turn into groans as Robertson finds a fantastic long red, only to pot the white on the follow through.
Hawkins decides to play for safety. Three reds left, none of them easy.
Robertson 3-3 Hawkins (29-37)
Hawkins has done well here, keeping the reds open as he overtakes Robertson in the frame. At 31, this is his highest break of the match, and he is still going with four reds remaining.
However, he is forced to play for safety after potting the blue. Another wide-open frame.
Robertson 3-3 Hawkins (29-1)
Robertson aims for the centre pocket on the red but doesn't get it, allowing Hawkins to return.
He goes for a long red and gets it, nearly half an hour and 244 points since his last pot.
Robertson 3-3 Hawkins (9-0)
Robertson did get going, but played a safety after his pot, and Hawkins attempts the same.
However, the Hawk has left a long red on. Will Robertson go for it to continue his imperious march? He does and he gets it.
Another big break could be on, and Hawkins is a passenger to Robertson's brilliance at the moment.
Watch: White and McManus discuss Revesz shirt incident
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'They have got a job do do' - White and McManus discuss Revesz shirt incident
Video credit: TNT Sports
Robertson 3-3 Hawkins
The century break is on here, and he brings up a hundred on the black, with one red remaining.
A 132 break is possible here, if he cleans up the board.
And there it is. A 132 break for Neil Robertson, who is on a roll now.
Robertson 2-3 Hawkins (76-0)
Hawkins watches on glumly as Robertson continues to clean up the reds, moving into the 60s.
Hawkins needs snookers now.
Robertson 2-3 Hawkins (30-0)
Hawkins is nowhere near on a long red at the start of the sixth frame, giving Robertson the opportunity to get on the board.
The Thunder From Down Under has looked far better since the break, and is converting his scoring into big breaks once more.
Hawkins could be in trouble here.
Robertson 2-3 Hawkins
However, Robertson does return and pots the red, then black to seal the frame.
He is completely outscoring the Hawk but is still behind.
Robertson 1-3 Hawkins (61-2)
Robertson is motoring along nicely here as he looks to claw his way back into the match. The Aussie pots the blue to move past 50.
He breaks up the pack nicely and is closing in on the fifth frame.
Hawkins returns 59 behind with 51 remaining and will continue.
Watch: Hawkins suffers horror miscue on frame ball
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‘Bit of a brain freeze for me’ - Hawkins suffers horror miscue on frame ball
Video credit: TNT Sports
Robertson 1-3 Hawkins (1-2)
Hawkins gets another red, in a carbon copy of the first. He's now nine out of 11 on the long range shots.
However, this time he takes on the green and misses. Robertson now gets on the board.
Robertson 1-3 Hawkins (0-1)
The average frame time has been 25 minutes so far. Hawkins finds some quality to pot a red, but does not take on the green and instead just parks the white right behind it.
Robertson escapes the snooker and leaves nothing on.
Robertson 1-3 Hawkins (0-0)
Here come the players. Both players will need to improve if they want to secure a place in the semis.
Hawkins to break.
Watch: Robertson feathers white, fails to make contact with red
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2026/02/27/image-7a049aff-553f-40c8-9b77-2e04766172b9-85-2560-1440.jpeg)
‘Did he hit one?’ - Robertson feathers white, fails to make contact with red and called for foul
Video credit: TNT Sports
Robertson 1-3 Hawkins
Hawkins gets Robertson snookered again, who fouls, but he can afford one, with 27 points left on the table.
He then leaves Hawkins with a straight yellow which he takes! That should be that, and the green will definitely secure it.
The Hawk leads 3-1 at the break, and both players need a reset at the moment.
Robertson 1-2 Hawkins (39-61)
Again, Hawkins gets the opportunity to break and this time, he looks to have taken the frame. But he miscues on the black, which would have done it!
Just the colours left.
Robertson 1-2 Hawkins (39-54)
Both players cut a long red too fine, before Hawkins snookers Robertson, who fouls. This has been a pretty low-quality match so far.
Robertson fouls again! This time Hawkins gets a break going, before playing for safety, 15 points ahead.
Robertson 1-2 Hawkins (39-30)
Hawkins is well behind Robertson in terms of total points won, but that does not matter one bit. He overtakes the Aussie in this fourth frame with a straight blue.
No he doesn't actually! On the follow through, the cue ball dribbles into the same pocket after bouncing off three cushions.
Robertson 1-2 Hawkins (31-4)
Robertson is back with a third opportunity. Third time's the charm?
He really can't go into the break 3-1 down, given he's dominated 80% of this match.
The fourth seed pockets the brown, but with his flourish on the cue, clips the yellow and that could be a costly foul.
Robertson 1-2 Hawkins (17-0)
The reprieve doesn't last for long and Robertson is back on the table.
But again, in the same pocket he misses! It was identical to the last missed red.
Robertson 1-2 Hawkins (13-0)
What a fluke! Robertson misses a long red in one corner, but it trickles into the other...
Oh no! A fairly simple red bounces straight back out, and Higgins gets a reprieve.
Watch: Robertson makes century break
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2026/02/27/image-a0aa3e9d-95a0-471e-98c1-5a14f963b755-85-2560-1440.jpeg)
‘Well appreciated, and rightly so’ - Robertson makes fourth century of week
Video credit: TNT Sports
Robertson 1-2 Hawkins (0-0)
Someone's phone has gone off and they get a telling off.
Robertson has now accidentally hit the cue ball when assessing the situation! They will have to restart the frame.
Robertson 1-2 Hawkins
Robertson can't quite get the safety right and Hawkins capitalises! Can he convert and steal the frame?
He gets the blue, he gets the pink and gets the black and Hawkins leads.
Robertson will be wondering how he is behind.
Robertson 1-1 Hawkins (61-40)
Robertson gets the green, and now just needs the brown for the frame. He goes for a safety instead.
Whoever gets the brown should get the frame.
Robertson 1-1 Hawkins (58-40)
Hawkins is first to strike, crucially, as he gets a break going and cleans up the reds. He needs to think this through now though, as the green and the brown are very awkwardly placed.
After pocketing the yellow, the Hawk plays a double on the green, but no luck.
Robertson 1-1 Hawkins (58-27)
Robertson has been the far better player so far in this match, which has ticked beyond the hour mark already.
The Thunder From Down Under pockets the black to overtake Hawkins, and can now just exchange pots on the reds and the black to build a cushion.
With two reds remaining, he has a job on his hand to keep the break going, as he leaves himself too straight on the pink.
He plays a safety, leaving the green safe should it come to the colours.
Robertson 1-1 Hawkins (11-27)
There's one red on the corner pocket, but neither player can see it, and Robertson then knocks it away on a rebound to keep this frame cagey.
Here comes Robertson! He pots a long red to get on the board.
Robertson 1-1 Hawkins (4-27)
Can Hawkins finish off this frame in one break? Still a lot to do.
And he leaves himself in a bit of trouble and is forced to play a safety shot.
Can Robertson come back into it?
Robertson 1-1 Hawkins (4-9)
After several safeties, Robertson goes for a long pot but it bounces out. Hawkins has nothing on though.
That is a devilish snooker from Hawkins though, hiding the cue behind the blue and, even if Robertson can hit a red, he could leave a shot on.
Robertson fouls, hitting the black, and here is Hawkins's chance. He gets the break going.
Robertson 1-1 Hawkins (4-1)
After a few safeties, Hawkins has an opportunity at a long red. Will he? Yes he will and he pots for the first time in over 15 minutes.
However, it'll be just the one point as he goes for safety. This could be a long frame.
Robertson 1-1 Hawkins (4-0)
Hawkins starts off with a pretty awful break, clipping the blue on its way to baulk, giving Robertson the chance to get underway, but the cue ball drifts to baulk.
However, he brings it back towards the reds via potting the green, but tries to force on into the centre pocket, which doesn't work out.
Robertson 1-1 Hawkins
This is vintage Neil Robertson, and a fourth 100+ break of the tournament is very much on. He passes the century mark on the black and 129 is possible here.
However, he misses the yellow and ends on 102.
Robertson 0-1 Hawkins (73-1)
Hang on, he's snookered himself on the black, but pots the blue instead to keep the break alive. It could have been tricky to keep going, but he finds a red and does so, and has more or less rectified that minor error.
Hawkins isn't getting a look in here, as Robertson moves into the 60s with relative ease.
Robertson pots the final red not in the pack to ensure that Hawkins now needs several snookers, and Robertson breaks open the pack too.
Robertson 0-1 Hawkins (8-1)
Hawkins is first underway in the second frame too, but cuts the black too fine, and his fun is immediately over. That was a fairly straightforward pot.
Robertson makes no mistake in capitalising and now he can profit from this open top end.
Robertson 0-1 Hawkins
Hawkins pots the final redand now it is he who can profit on the manageable colours. The yellow will be the hardest of the bunch though.
However, the Hawk makes an inch-perfect pot before reeling off the green and the brown.
The blue will secure the frame, and he takes it with ease!
Robertson 0-0 Hawkins (53-46)
I can see this frame going the distance to be honest. He's ticking along nicely but those two reds on the top cushion are a problem.
Not anymore! The Aussie brings them into the open while potting the black. He pots the black again to draw level, buy has a tricky long red to keep going.
He's on the final red, but it bounces out of the centre pocket! The cushions have been unforgiving.
Robertson 0-0 Hawkins (1-46)
This frame looks lost for Robertson, as Hawkins moves into the 40s. There are two reds at the top end which will need to be dealt with at some point though.
Oh dear. A fine cut on a red doesn't come off, and it leaves an absolute open goal for Robertson, which he takes with no issue.
Robertson 0-0 Hawkins (0-22)
More safeties but Robertson looks like he's eyeing up a plant here. Someone needs to open this game up.
And that won't be Robertson, is the Hawk interested in this five-ball plant? He doesn't and then Robertson misses into the corner pocket, blasting open the reds.
Hawkins pots into the corner pocket, and now can make some serious inroads into the opening frame.
Robertson 0-0 Hawkins (0-19)
Half-chance for Robertson here, but he decides against taking a risk, and Hawkins hits back to baulk.
The Thunder From Down Under is taking his time here, taking 47 seconds per shot, but still just safeties from both.
Robertson 0-0 Hawkins (0-19)
Hawkins is the first to get on the board, and follows up with a blue. There are a few loose reds here, so he can really profit here, but his cannon into the pack doesn't really disturb it.
He has to play for safety and does.
Here come the players!
Neil Robertson had to fight his way into this quarter-final, beating Jak Jones in a final-frame decider that went right down to the pink ball.
Barry Hawkins has had to fight off Mark Williams and played some of his best snooker in the process.
And here they come to get things underway in Llandudno!
First up: Robertson v Hawkins
To kick off this afternoon's action, we have fourth seed and two-time winner Neil Robertson against 2018 finalist Barry Hawkins.
Their recent head-to-head is pretty even, with three wins each in the last six meetings. Robertson comes into the match in better form though, and has three century breaks to his name in Llandudno already.
Welcome!
Welcome to our live coverage of the 2026 Welsh Open quarter-finals!
The draw has opened up nicely for Neil Robertson, but Barry Hawkins stands in his way of a spot in the semi-finals.
Later, Jack Lisowski takes on Stuart Bingham in our second match of the afternoon, and we will take a quick break before the evening's action, including five-time champion John Higgins.
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Watch and stream the 2025/26 snooker season, including the Welsh Open, live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
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