15th China Open 9-Ball: Szewczyk and Kawahara return to Shanghai in a race worth more than $350,000

The 15th China Open 9-Ball Championship returns to Shanghai from September 9 to 13 at the Tangzhen Cultural and Sports Centre. The event offers more than $350,000 in prize money across the men's and women's divisions, making it one of the richest stops on the WPA calendar. Defending men's champion Wojciech Szewczyk, the current WPA world number one, will lead the field. Chihiro Kawahara will defend her women's title in a draw that includes reigning world 9-ball champion Seo Seoa and world number one Wei Tzu-Chien. The men's event uses double-elimination races to 9 until 32 players remain, then switches to single-elimination races to 11. The women's event uses double-elimination races to 7 until 16 players remain, then moves to single-elimination races to 9. The hybrid format reduces early randomness while raising the endurance required in the final rounds. Joshua Filler, a three-time winner of this event, and Albin Ouschan, a two-time world champion, are considered major threats. Francisco Sanchez Ruiz enters after winning the US Open, while Gorst and 2026 runner-up Hijikata add further depth. Chinese players Dang Jinhu, Liu Shasha and Fu Xiaofang also feature prominently. Standard WPA rules apply, including the three-point break rule. Broadcast will be available on Kozoom Pool's YouTube channel and Chinese platforms. The tournament's return to Tangzhen gives players a familiar venue but does not guarantee predictable table conditions. The biggest challenge for every contender is adapting quickly to the table. Past titles matter, but current rhythm matters more. The player who controls the cue ball and reads the spaces best will leave Shanghai with the trophy.