Jak Jones continued his remarkable start to the 2026/27 season with an impressive victory over four-time World Champion John Higgins on another dramatic day at the BetVictor Northern Ireland Open in Belfast.

The Welshman was joined in the last 16 by Mark Williams, Jordan Brown, Ka Wai Cheung and David Gilbert as the field continued to open up at the Waterfront Hall.

Following Higgins’ elimination, just two of the world’s top 16 – Mark Williams and Kyren Wilson – remain in contention for the Alex Higgins Trophy.

Jones Continues Remarkable 2026/27 Campaign

Jak Jones’ outstanding season continued as he defeated John Higgins 4-2 to secure his place in the last 16.

The 33-year-old had never won a professional tournament before the beginning of this campaign but has since established himself as one of the players of the season, claiming ranking titles at both the Championship League and British Open.

Higgins took two of the opening three frames in Belfast, but Jones quickly moved through the gears.

A superb 121 brought him level at 2-2 before another century of 133 put him ahead. Jones then completed the victory with a break of 49 to set up an all-Welsh last-16 meeting with Daniel Wells.

Wells booked his place with a dramatic 4-3 victory over Ryan Day.

With two ranking titles already secured this season and many of the tournament’s leading seeds eliminated, Jones will have every reason to believe he can challenge for a third trophy of the campaign.

Williams Keeps Title Challenge Alive

Mark Williams remains firmly in contention following a 4-2 victory over Zhang Anda.

With the match level at 2-2, the three-time World Champion produced breaks of 78 and 58 to take the final two frames and progress.

At 51, Williams continues to compete at the highest level and is now one of only two members of the world’s top 16 remaining in the draw alongside Kyren Wilson.

Williams became the oldest winner of a ranking event when he captured the Xi’an Grand Prix last season and could extend that record further should he lift the trophy in Belfast.

Cheung Follows O’Sullivan Victory With Bingham Whitewash

Ka Wai Cheung continues to be one of the standout stories of this year’s Northern Ireland Open.

After producing a tremendous 4-3 victory over Ronnie O’Sullivan, the Hong Kong player followed it with an emphatic 4-0 win over former World Champion Stuart Bingham.

Cheung compiled breaks of 56, 54 and 111 on his way to victory and has now reached the last 16 of a ranking event for the first time in his career.

The world number 110 will next face David Gilbert for a place in the quarter-finals.

Gilbert Survives Dramatic Final-Black Finish

David Gilbert came through one of the day’s most dramatic encounters, edging Gao Yang 4-3 on the final black.

Gao produced breaks of 131 and 86 as he established a 3-2 advantage and looked on course to reach the last 16 of a ranking tournament for the first time.

The Chinese player then moved to within touching distance of victory in the deciding frame, scoring 57 before missing the penultimate red to a baulk corner.

The frame eventually came down to the colours, where Gilbert produced an excellent long brown before clearing the table to complete the comeback.

Gilbert now faces Cheung in what promises to be an intriguing last-16 encounter.

Brown Gives Belfast Crowd More to Celebrate

Home favourite Jordan Brown continued his excellent record at the Waterfront Hall with a thrilling 4-3 victory over Michael Holt.

Brown, who reached the quarter-finals in Belfast last year and defeated Mark Allen on Day Three, produced two centuries – 113 and 101 – during another impressive display.

With the match going to a deciding frame, Brown added a crucial break of 66 to secure victory and raise another huge cheer from the home crowd.

He will next face Scott Donaldson, who progressed with a convincing 4-1 victory over Noppon Saengkham.

Pang Denies Davies With Brilliant Clearance

Pang Junxu edged an entertaining encounter against Liam Davies 4-3 after producing a superb clearance under pressure.

Davies made breaks of 69 and 103 during the contest, while Pang responded with runs of 112 and 73 as the opening six frames were shared.

The Welsh youngster looked well placed to take the decider when he established a 60-point advantage, but a missed difficult red handed Pang an opportunity.

He took full advantage, producing an outstanding 81 clearance to snatch victory and book a meeting with Kyren Wilson.

Craigie Holds Off Xu Si Comeback

Sam Craigie also needed a deciding frame to secure his place in the last 16.

Craigie raced into a 3-0 advantage against Xu Si, helped by a century break of 103, before the Chinese player produced an impressive response to level at 3-3.

With the pressure on in the deciding frame, Craigie responded with a break of 75 to complete a 4-3 victory.

He will now meet Matthew Selt for a place in the quarter-finals.

Day Four Results

Elliot Slessor 4-1 Jamie Jones
David Gilbert 4-3 Gao Yang
Jordan Brown 4-3 Michael Holt
Scott Donaldson 4-1 Noppon Saengkham
Sam Craigie 4-3 Xu Si
Mark Williams 4-2 Zhang Anda
Jak Jones 4-2 John Higgins
Daniel Wells 4-3 Ryan Day
Pang Junxu 4-3 Liam Davies
Ka Wai Cheung 4-0 Stuart Bingham

Race for the Alex Higgins Trophy Wide Open

The Northern Ireland Open has already produced a string of major upsets, leaving the race for the title increasingly difficult to predict.

With John Higgins joining the long list of leading players to exit, only Mark Williams and Kyren Wilson remain from the world’s top 16.

Meanwhile, Jak Jones continues to demonstrate why he has been one of the standout performers of the 2026/27 season, Jordan Brown has the Belfast crowd firmly behind him and Ka Wai Cheung’s breakthrough week continues following victories over two former World Champions.

The battle for the Alex Higgins Trophy now moves into the last 16 at the Waterfront Hall, with opportunities opening up throughout the draw.

Stay tuned to Pinnacle Sport for the latest news, results and updates from the BetVictor Northern Ireland Open.