Ding Junhui and John Higgins exit Shenzhen Open in deciders

Ding Junhui and John Higgins both bowed out of the 2026 Shenzhen Open in deciding-frame defeats as the tournament’s dramatic opening rounds continued.

Ricky Walden recovered from 2-0 down against Ding, compiling two centuries as he moved 3-2 ahead. Ding responded to lead 4-3, but Walden edged a tense eighth frame 68-63 before scoring 69 unanswered points in the decider to complete a 5-4 victory. Walden will face Ali Carter next.

David Grace also produced a memorable 5-4 win over four-time world champion Higgins. Grace turned a 2-0 deficit into a 4-2 lead with breaks of 60, 64, 93 and 68. Higgins, who made centuries of 116 and 101, forced the decider before a closing break of 60 gave Grace his first win over the Scot in six meetings. His reward is a last-32 match against Stephen Maguire.

Sources and further coverage: the official World Snooker Tour day-two update, plus TNT Sports reports on Walden’s victory over Ding and Grace’s win against Higgins.