I have seen very little of the action over the last two days … some quite uncomfortable health issues coming in the way of snooker and life in general 😞 but nothing that time and patience can’t heal.

Anyway, it is what it is and I’m getting better so here is what happened yesterday and the day before in Leicester.

WST shared an interview with Bai Yulu

China’s Bai Yulu reflects on her World Championship qualifying match, and looks ahead to her first season on the World Snooker Tour…

Bai, you lost 10-7 to Jenson Kendrick in the World Championship qualifiers in April, how do you feel about your performance in that match?
I completely failed to adapt to the conditions, and even the equipment, during the first session so I played badly. I was not able to adjust throughout. In the second session I played with more freedom and treated it as if had I lost already, and I got more used to the conditions. I managed to feel the speed of the table better and control the white more easily. But having got back from 9-4 to 9-7, I got a bit nervous towards the end, when I felt that victory was in my reach. I’d like to think I have a carefree type of personality, and that allows me to not overthink during competitions. But I have certain flaws in power shots and I have to work hard to make up for it.

What’s your ambition for the next two seasons? 
I’m not setting a goal but I do think I can make a lot of progress over the two years. I don’t really think about results.

Who is your favourite player?
Stephen Hendry. I used to watch him play when I first started and everybody said he’s awesome, with all the titles he won. I’ve also played against Ding Junhui and I’ve asked him for advice on shot selection.

You have been playing in CBSA Junior events, including a recent one in Yan’An. The best players from the series are awarded wild cards to WST events. How much does this help young talent to improve?
It’s a great platform for our best junior players to sharpen their games before reaching the professional circuit. There are several events each year and you will see all the best young players competing in one arena. For the players it doesn’t really matter what kind of result you get, but to keep learning in tournaments like this means a lot. It’s never been held at a gymnasium before so I had a great experience in Yan’An. 

Who are the best up-and-coming juniors in China?
Zhou Jinhao, Lan Yuhao and Dong Zihao. We grew up practising together and you can tell they are making rapid progress.

Bai comes across as a very mature and determined young woman. It’s a bit surprising that her favourite player is Stephen Hendry considering that he retired in 2012 and she was still a young child then. But I suppose that the “snooker kids” in China get to watch and study videos of the best players, past and present.

WST report on Day 7, yesterday, in Leicester:

O’ DONNELL EDGES WALDEN WITH STRONG FINISH

Martin O’Donnell won the last three frames of the day to edge out Ricky Walden and finish top of Group 24 of the BetVictor Championship League.

O’Donnell’s fine finish puts him into the second group stage of the opening ranking event of the season, as he looks to build on a fine 2023/24 campaign which was highlighted by a run to the final of the BetVictor Welsh Open.

After a 2-2 draw against Rory Thor and a 3-1 win over Umut Dikme, O’Donnell came into the crucial last match of Tuesday’s play in second place behind group leader Walden, who had two wins under his belt. And when Walden took the opening frame, O’Donnell knew he needed the last three.

He cleared from green to black in frame two to keep his hopes alive, then made a superb 94 to lead 2-1. O’Donnell then dominated the last frame with a top run of 48 to clinch top spot.

In Group 28, China’s Wu Yize scored a trio of 3-1 victories to book his place in the next phase. The talented 20-year-old started by beating Joshua Cooper with breaks of 76, 76 and 83. Wu went on to beat Allan Taylor with top runs of 64 and 86, and in his final match against Ross Muir he made a 142 total clearance, the highest break of the tournament so far.

Results / Fixtures

And WST report on day 6, Monday

MCGUIGAN MAKES FAST START TO PRO CAREER

Robbie McGuigan made a flying start to his rookie season as he topped Group Seven at BetVictor Championship League to qualify for the second stage of the season’s opening ranking event.

Northern Ireland’s promising 19-year-old McGuigan earned a place on the tour by winning the European Championship and hopes to make an impact among the pro ranks.

Top seed Tom Ford withdrew from the group, leaving only three players in contention. McGuigan started with a 3-0 win over Sanderson Lam, and though he lost his second match 3-1 to Barry Pinches, he did enough to top the group on frame difference. 

Crucible finalist Jak Jones was competing as a top 16 player for the first time and lived up to his billing as he finished top of Group Eight. After coming from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 with Antoni Kowalski, Jones scored a 3-1 win over Bulcsu Revesz with a top break of 88. 

Jordan Brown had identical results, setting up a showdown to decide the group. Brown came from 2-0 down to tie 2-2 and in the last frame he had the chance to snatch top place if he could eclipse Jones’ top break of 88. But the former Welsh Open champion missed the penultimate red on 87 to lose out by the narrowest of margins. Jones continues the sequence of a Welshman topping a group on all seven days of the event so far.

Results / Fixtures

Tom Ford actually played his first match, but was feeling really unwell and had to withdraw for medical reasons.

Robbie had impressed me winning the EBSA event. He showed a lot of determination out there and played a very mature type of snooker, whilst. at the same time, staying positive and attacking.

WST also shared a video where Mark Allen interviews Robbie. Despite being separated from Robbie’s mother, Mark has a good relationship with Robbie and supports him as much as he can