The quarter-final line-up has been confirmed at the BetVictor Northern Ireland Open, following another dramatic day of action at the Waterfront Hall in Belfast.
Sam Craigie produced one of the performances of Day Five to continue his remarkable comeback from a career-threatening injury, while Kyren Wilson survived a deciding-frame thriller and Jak Jones moved another step closer to a third ranking title of an incredible season.
Mark Williams, David Gilbert, Anthony McGill, Elliot Slessor and Scott Donaldson also secured their places in the last eight.
Craigie Continues Remarkable Comeback
Sam Craigie reached his first ranking-event quarter-final since recovering from the serious neck injury which threatened his professional career.
The 32-year-old suffered a slipped disc in his upper spine in 2024, requiring major surgery and keeping him away from tournament competition for ten months.
Back competing on the professional circuit, Craigie produced an outstanding display against Matthew Selt in Belfast.
Breaks of 108, 96, 100 and 79 helped him to a 4-2 victory and a fourth ranking-event quarter-final of his career.
Craigie will now meet Elliot Slessor in an all-North East quarter-final.
Walden’s Belfast Run Ends
Slessor secured his place in the last eight with a 4-1 victory over Pinnacle Sport player Ricky Walden.
A top break of 65 helped Slessor reach his first ranking quarter-final since the 2025 English Open.
The defeat brings Ricky’s Northern Ireland Open campaign to an end following another appearance in the latter stages of a ranking event.
Everyone at Pinnacle Sport wishes Ricky all the best for his upcoming events.
Wilson Survives Pang Thriller
Kyren Wilson remains firmly in contention for a second Northern Ireland Open crown after edging Pang Junxu 4-3 in one of the highest-quality matches of the day.
Wilson opened with a 70 before Pang responded with a century of 108. The pair continued to trade frames before a 92 moved Wilson 3-2 ahead.
Pang then threatened a maximum break in frame six, reaching 97 before missing a difficult 13th black.
The match went to a deciding frame, where Wilson demonstrated his class under pressure with an excellent 94 to secure victory.
Wilson, who lifted the Alex Higgins Trophy two years ago, will face Anthony McGill in the quarter-finals.
McGill progressed with a convincing 4-1 victory over Mateusz Baranowski, compiling a top break of 95.
Jones Moves Closer to Third Title of the Season
Jak Jones’ phenomenal 2026/27 campaign shows no signs of slowing down.
The Welshman defeated Daniel Wells 4-2 in an all-Welsh encounter to move within three victories of an extraordinary third ranking title of the season.
Jones, already the winner of the Championship League and British Open, established a 3-0 advantage before Wells fought back to 3-2.
The sixth frame came down to the final red, with Jones converting an excellent mid-range pot into a baulk corner before completing the victory.
He will now face Scott Donaldson for a place in the semi-finals.
Donaldson Ends Hopes of Home Champion
Scott Donaldson ended Jordan Brown’s impressive Belfast run with a 4-2 victory.
Brown had enjoyed an excellent week in front of his home supporters, including victories over Mark Allen and Michael Holt, but Donaldson proved too strong in a hard-fought last-16 encounter.
The Scot is through to his first ranking-event quarter-final in six years and will now face one of the season’s most in-form players in Jak Jones.
Williams Marches Into Last Eight
Mark Williams produced the most convincing scoreline of the round as he defeated Martin O’Donnell 4-0.
The three-time World Champion compiled a top break of 127 on his way to the 124th ranking-event quarter-final of his remarkable career.
At 51, Williams continues to challenge the very best in the sport and remains one of the leading contenders for the title in Belfast.
Having already established himself as the oldest ranking-event winner in snooker history, Williams could extend his own record should he lift the Alex Higgins Trophy this weekend.
Gilbert Ends Cheung’s Breakthrough Run
David Gilbert brought Ka Wai Cheung’s memorable Northern Ireland Open campaign to an end with a 4-2 victory.
Cheung had been one of the stories of the tournament after defeating Ronnie O’Sullivan and Stuart Bingham on his way to the last 16.
However, Gilbert ended the Hong Kong player’s career-best ranking-event run, compiling breaks of 85 and 56 on his way to victory.
Gilbert now faces Williams in what promises to be a fascinating quarter-final.
Day Five Results
Scott Donaldson 4-2 Jordan Brown
Jak Jones 4-2 Daniel Wells
David Gilbert 4-2 Ka Wai Cheung
Mark Williams 4-0 Martin O’Donnell
Anthony McGill 4-1 Mateusz Baranowski
Elliot Slessor 4-1 Ricky Walden
Sam Craigie 4-2 Matthew Selt
Kyren Wilson 4-3 Pang Junxu
Northern Ireland Open Quarter-Finals
Sam Craigie vs Elliot Slessor
Kyren Wilson vs Anthony McGill
Scott Donaldson vs Jak Jones
Mark Williams vs David Gilbert
Just eight players remain in contention for the Alex Higgins Trophy, with a fascinating mix of established champions and players chasing career-defining success still in the draw.
The quarter-finals take place on Friday at the Waterfront Hall as the race to become the 2026 BetVictor Northern Ireland Open champion moves towards the business end.
Stay tuned to Pinnacle Sport for the latest news, results and updates from Belfast.
