Žižins storms into English Open second qualifying round with convincing win

Latvian snooker star Artemijs Žižins started his English Open campaign in style on Saturday, securing a dominant 4-1 victory over England's Alfie Burden in the first qualifying round of the World Snooker Tour (WST) event.

World number 105 Žižins controlled the match from the outset, overcoming Burden, who is ranked 114th. The win propels Žižins into the second qualifying round, where he will meet another English opponent, Martin O'Donnell, currently ranked 53rd in the world.

O'Donnell is a seasoned professional, and the upcoming clash promises to be a stern test for the Latvian. The main draw of the English Open is scheduled for September, but Žižins must first navigate the qualifiers.

Earlier this year, Žižins secured his place on the WST circuit for the 2026/2027 and 2027/2028 seasons, underlining his long-term commitment to professional snooker. Fans will be hoping he can build on this solid start and reach the main event, where he could face some of the sport's biggest names.