Kyren Wilson regains his rhythm, Neil Robertson exits early at English Open

Kyren Wilson showed signs of revival in a difficult season as he beat Mateusz Baranowski to reach the second round of the English Open at Brentwood. Only a week after a heavy loss to Liam Highfield in the last 32 of the British Open, Wilson knew this opening match was as much about rebuilding feel as about progressing. The notable part was not explosive shot-making. Wilson avoided risky attempts when Baranowski was still solid. He kept safety exchanges tight, forcing his opponent into awkward openings. Two consecutive 50-plus breaks helped him move through with control. The win sets up a second-round meeting with Chang Bingyu, the Chinese player who recently won the Wuhan Open. This is a different test. Chang is in form and full of confidence. Wilson’s patience will face a sharper opponent. Neil Robertson was the biggest casualty. The two-time English Open winner lost 3-4 to Luo Zetao, world number 117. The match went to a deciding frame, but Robertson could not produce the decisive stroke. The result is more than a scoreline; it underlines the depth of Chinese snooker. Chris Wakelin needed another final-frame decider to beat Louis Heathcote. Zhang Anda and Ding Junhui also won after the opening day had finished. Brentwood did not reveal a champion on day one, but it showed the value of waiting. Wilson waited for the right moment. Robertson did not. The second round will show how long Wilson can keep that patience against an opponent who is unlikely to follow the same script.