Billiards NewsEventsTournament Results
Fedor Gorst and Liu Shasha Win 2026 WPA China Open in Shanghai
Gorst converted a 2025 runner-up finish into the men's title, while Liu captured her second China Open crown in Tangzhen.
Fedor Gorst and Liu Shasha are the 2026 WPA Pudong Tangzhen 9-Ball China Open champions after winning the men's and women's divisions in Shanghai. Gorst earned $40,000 and a championship ring, while Liu collected $36,000 and secured the second China Open title of her career.
Who won the 2026 WPA China Open in Shanghai?
Fedor Gorst won the men's championship and Liu Shasha claimed the women's title when the international 9-ball event concluded in Tangzhen, Shanghai, on September 13, 2026.
The tournament ran from September 5-13 and brought leading players from multiple countries to China. The closing results produced two distinct championship stories: Gorst completed unfinished business after finishing second in 2025, while Liu returned to the top of an event she had already won once before.
Both champions also received the newly introduced China Open Championship Ring, a symbol added to the event in 2026 alongside the traditional title and prize money.
How did Fedor Gorst win the men's China Open title?
Gorst returned to Shanghai one year after finishing runner-up and delivered a composed performance in the men's final against Wu Kun Lin of Chinese Taipei. His ability to maintain control under pressure turned a near miss from 2025 into a championship in 2026.
The victory gave Gorst the $40,000 first prize and another major international 9-ball title. More importantly, it completed a two-year progression at the same event: runner-up in one edition, champion in the next.
Daniel Maciol of Poland and Alexander Kazakis of Greece shared third place. Their semifinal finishes gave the men's podium a strongly international profile, with four countries represented across the top four positions.
How did Liu Shasha claim her second China Open championship?
Liu Shasha established an early advantage in the women's final against fellow Chinese player Fu Xiaofang. Fu attempted to reduce the deficit and create a comeback, but Liu continued to dictate the contest and limited the opportunities available to her opponent.
The win delivered Liu's second China Open championship and a $36,000 first prize. It also strengthened her historical connection with one of China's most established international pool events.
Fu finished as runner-up, while China's Shi Tianqi and the Philippines' Rubilen Amit shared third place. Three of the four women's semifinalists represented China, highlighting the strength of the host nation's field, while Amit provided the international presence on the final podium.
What were the final standings and prize details?
| Division | Champion | Runner-up | Third place | Champion's prize |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Men's 9-ball | Fedor Gorst | Wu Kun Lin | Daniel Maciol and Alexander Kazakis | $40,000 |
| Women's 9-ball | Liu Shasha | Fu Xiaofang | Shi Tianqi and Rubilen Amit | $36,000 |
The table captures the leading finishers announced at the conclusion of the tournament. The event crowned separate men's and women's champions while presenting both winners with the new championship ring.
Why is Gorst's victory significant?
Gorst's title stands out because it followed his runner-up result at the 2025 China Open. Returning to the same final stage and converting the opportunity one year later demonstrated both consistency and the ability to respond to previous disappointment.
The result also adds another international title to a career already defined by success against elite competition. Winning in Shanghai required navigating a global field and then handling the pressure of a final that carried personal significance after the previous year's near miss.
For future editions, Gorst now enters the China Open record as a defending champion rather than a player still chasing the trophy. That shift changes the competitive narrative around his next appearance in Tangzhen.
What does Liu Shasha's second title mean for her China Open legacy?
Winning the same major event twice separates Liu from players whose success came during a single standout run. Her second championship confirms a lasting ability to perform in the China Open environment and under the pressure of an all-Chinese final.
Liu's controlled start against Fu was particularly important. By creating an early lead and protecting it as the match developed, she prevented the final from turning into a momentum-driven comeback.
The $36,000 prize reflects the immediate value of the victory, but the second title carries the larger historical meaning. Liu is now a repeat China Open champion with achievements from more than one edition attached to her name.
How did the 2026 China Open reach international fans?
The tournament's main-stage matches from September 9-13 were broadcast globally through WPALive.tv. English commentary accompanied coverage of the decisive rounds, including the men's and women's finals.
That digital access allowed international fans to follow the closing stages even if they could not travel to Shanghai. It also expanded the event beyond the physical venue and reinforced the China Open's position on the global 9-ball calendar.
The combination of an international field, separate elite divisions and worldwide streaming gave the 2026 edition a broad competitive footprint. Players from Europe, Asia and the United States remained connected to the tournament through both participation and online coverage.
What did the 2026 China Open establish for the future?
The event concluded with two champions whose victories carried different meanings. Gorst completed a one-year journey from runner-up to winner. Liu returned to the top of the podium and became a two-time champion.
The addition of the championship ring gave future winners a new symbol associated with the event. The global broadcast also showed how a major tournament in Shanghai can serve audiences far beyond the host city.
For the China Open, the 2026 edition added another chapter to an established international competition. For Gorst and Liu, it delivered titles that strengthen their records in different but equally important ways.
Who won the men's 2026 WPA China Open?
Fedor Gorst won the men's title in Shanghai, defeating Wu Kun Lin in the championship match and earning the $40,000 first prize.
Who won the women's 2026 WPA China Open?
Liu Shasha won the women's division against Fu Xiaofang, collecting $36,000 and the second China Open championship of her career.
Where was the 2026 WPA China Open held?
The tournament was held in Tangzhen, Shanghai, China, and concluded on September 13, 2026.
Who finished third in the two divisions?
Daniel Maciol and Alexander Kazakis shared third place in the men's event. Shi Tianqi and Rubilen Amit shared third in the women's event.
Where could fans watch the China Open?
The main stage from September 9-13 was broadcast globally on WPALive.tv with English commentary.