Brown stuns world champion Zhao at NI Open

With a 4-0 victory over Zhao Xintong, Antrim’s Jordan Brown led the Northern Ireland Open to a major upset.

The 38-year-old had endured a disappointing run of results in recent seasons, but he recovered with a last-32 meeting with Ashley Hugill by taking advantage of an off-colour Zhao.

Brown won the frames needed to advance while breaking breaks of 48 and 51 gave him the edge in a scrappy opening frame, which he won the second on the colors.

“I absolutely loved it, and I want to thank everyone for their support,” he said. This is a unique setting for play, Brown asserted.

“I haven’t recently given them much to complain about.” I produced something similar after Neil Robertson defeated me two years ago, so I had to try to recreate those memories. You must aim for your shots when playing Zhao. I kept him chilly throughout the first few frames.

Over the past few seasons, it has been very challenging. I am a confident person, and everything goes when that comes up. On the mental side of things, I’ve been attempting to get things right again with Fergal O’Brien. There is no reason why I can’t go further if I play that way once more.

Hugill also sparked controversy when he defeated Noppon Saengkham, the 35th overall, 4-2.

Ian Burns and Mark Selby both won the first frame, which included a 129 break in the second frame, to begin his challenge.

In the afternoon session, China’s Wu Yize, Ben Woollaston, and Pang Junxu won 4-1 while Chris Wakelin, who finished second in 2023, defeated Lan Yuhao.

Four-time world champion John Higgins advanced to the evening session by winning 4-0 against Louis Heathcote, resulting in breaks of 95 and 84.

He Guoqiang of China won 4-2 against Anthony McGill, while Judd Trump of last year won 4-2 against Anthony McGill.