Thai Player Thepchaiya Unchai Advances to World Open Snooker Final
AWISAN, CHINA – In a stunning upset on March 21, 2026, Thai snooker player Thepchaiya Unchai, known as “F1,” defeated world number one Judd Trump 6-4 in the semi-final of the World Open 2026. The victory propels Unchai into the championship match against snooker legend Ronnie O’Sullivan. This marks a significant moment in Unchai’s career, as he overcomes a historically challenging matchup against the top-ranked Trump.
The 40-year-aged Unchai, currently ranked 39th in the world, showcased exceptional skill and composure throughout the match. Prior to this tournament, Trump had won seven of their previous nine encounters, including a 10-5 victory over Unchai in the 2019 World Open final. However, Unchai reversed that trend with a dominant performance, securing his place in the final.
The final showdown between Thepchaiya Unchai and Ronnie O’Sullivan is scheduled for March 22, 2026. Fans can watch the match live on TrueID.
In a surprising turn of events reported by Thairath, Unchai reportedly needed to acquire additional underwear before the final match, stating he didn’t have enough for the occasion. This lighthearted anecdote has added an unexpected element to the buildup for the championship.
During the opening session of the final on March 22, Unchai demonstrated remarkable form, winning five consecutive frames to grab a commanding lead, according to Siamsport and Khaosod. This strong start puts pressure on O’Sullivan as the match continues.
The World Open 2026, held in Awisan, China, has already delivered thrilling moments, and the final promises to be a captivating contest between the rising Thai star and one of the greatest players in snooker history, as detailed in Play Now Thailand and
