Michael Holt continued his fine run at the 2026 Shenzhen Open, reaching Friday’s quarter-finals with a 5-2 defeat of Kyren Wilson in the last 16.
It marks the Hitman’s first run to the last-eight stage of a ranking event since the 2024 UK Championship.
Holt, now aged 48 and still producing results a full three decades after he first turned professional in 1996, beat Xiao Guodong 5-4 and Thepchaiya Un-Nooh 5-0 in the earlier rounds before eclipsing former world champion Wilson.
The former Shoot Out champion defied a break of 54 from his opponent to pinch the first frame and won the following two as well to establish a cushion he would never relinquish.
Indeed, it was this kind of start where he punished mistakes from his esteemed opponent that he attributed to his ability to dispatch a third higher-ranked player in a row this tournament.
“When you play these top players as a player ranked where I am, how it goes is that they’re probably a bit calmer than you at the start,” world no.46 Holt explained to the World Snooker Tour.
“They usually start okay. But if they do miss, you’ve got to take your chances. You’ve got to show them that you’re ready for it.”
“And then if you do get on top of them, they will miss. Sometimes they do miss – they are human beings.
“Then you’ve got to show them that you can go again and keep potting. I did that today, I was pretty good.
“You have to score heavily against players like that, because if he senses weakness, then they’ll just roll over you.
“I’m really pleased with myself, because I’ve said it for years that I can play the game properly. It’s just about doing it more consistently.
“I felt calm, my attitude was good. It’s been good for all the matches, so I’m excited.
“I’m experienced,” Holt, who is also a snooker coach, added. “I only look 28, but I’ve actually been around quite a long time. I have to try and use that experience.”
“Just telling myself to be calm in the moment, because that’s ultimately what the best players are better at.
“When they get a chance, they can just stay in that moment and pot the balls.
“There are loads of players who can pot the balls, but obviously staying calm in that situation is the key.
“That’s what I’ve done well, and I’m going to try and keep doing it.”
Holt has an excellent chance of extending his journey in Shenzhen, with a first semi-final since 2020 on the cards when he takes on Yuan Sijun on Friday.
The top half of the draw also features Chris Wakelin – arguably playing the best snooker of anyone so far this week – and Jimmy Robertson.
The other side is completely stacked with star quality as four of the best players in the world continue to vie for a spot in Sunday’s final.
Judd Trump and Mark Selby clash in a heavyweight battle, while Wu Yize and Shaun Murphy cross paths again in a repeat of their epic World Championship final from May.
2026 Shenzhen Open
Yuan Sijun vs Michael Holt (12:30pm BST)
Jimmy Robertson vs Chris Wakelin (07:00am BST)
Judd Trump vs Mark Selby (07:00am BST)
Shaun Murphy vs Wu Yize (12:30pm BST)
Featured photo credit: depositphotos.com
I heard the commentator say that Holt is 48 and I just blew it off thinking I missed heard him. I do not know if it is his genes or the way he lives his life but man, he is ranked number 1 when it comes to maintaining his young appearance.
Indeed. The photo I used of him for this article is from 2014. He doesn’t look much different now to then.
Just watching Wu Yize and Shaun Murphy and I cannot tell you how happy I am to see little kids watching snooker live with their father. It brings hope to the continuation of our sport and reminds me of my childhood.
Yes there are a lot of young people. The venue was packed for the first two days, when the schedule was known in advance. Wednesday was much less crowded, but starting on Thursday, there has been a national holiday in China which will last for a week. Certainly the event was planned to coincide with that. The venue is fantastic, and there are posters of the tournament around Shenzhen. I’ve seen people watching snooker on their mobile phones on the subway. I have a few issues with the ticketing system, but it’s something that can be corrected for next year.
Hi Lewis, I have a question you may have an answer to. Why is it, many times players are swatting away flies or some type of bugs. Do they leave windows open in the venue? Do they use air con in the venue?
It’s cold in the playing auditorium, with the air-con. Outside, it’s been very hot (around 35C). I certainly wasn’t bothered by any insects inside, but of course they would tend to gravitate to the table with the hot lights.
Snooker has a good many quite likeable characters, and in my view, Michael Holt is definitely one of them.
I imagine he has seldom reached the SF of a ranking event, so this is a good chance for him — earlier today, Jimmy Robertson showed him how it’s done.