These are the reports shared by WST on what happened on day 5 in York

Afternoon session:

Ding Beats Ford To Close In On Masters Spot

Ding Junhui ended Tom Ford’s hopes of qualifying for the Masters and enhanced his own with a 6-3 win to make the quarter-finals of the MrQ UK Championship in York.

This afternoon’s clash was a straight shoot out between world number 17 Ding and world number 16 Ford. They came into the encounter knowing that the loser would no longer be in contention for a place at Alexandra Palace, with the seeding cut off a the end of the week.

The result leaves Ding in pole position to secure a return to the Masters, having missed out on qualification in the previous two seasons. Iran’s Hossein Vafaei has the best chance of pipping him, but he must at least make the semi-finals to stand a chance. Defeat for Ford ends his hopes of qualifying for the Masters for the first time.

Ding was runner-up to Mark Allen last year in York and he now finds himself just two wins away from a return to the final. Next up he faces either Mark Williams or Jamie Clarke in the last eight.

This afternoon’s match got off to a blistering start, as both players put on a break building masterclass. Consecutive runs of 126 and 110 saw Ding move 2-0 ahead. However, Ford hit back with breaks of 118 and 98 to restore parity at 2-2.

The fifth frame went the way of Ding, before a dramatic sixth. It came down to a safety battle on the final black after Ford failed to gain position on the final ball. Ding eventually fluked it to the green pocket to move 4-2 ahead. The next two frames were traded, before Ding got himself over the line with a break of 106 to wrap up the 6-3 win.

“When I got chances I went into the pack and opened the balls. I made centuries in those first two frames and I could have made more today. He also played good though,” said three-time UK Champion Ding.

“I didn’t think about the ranking points before the match. I just wanted to win the match. It can be up and down so quickly that I can’t really concentrate on the rankings before the match.

“I love to play here. I’ve always said that. I like the venue and the weather in the UK in November and December is the best for snooker. The tables are perfect and the temperature inside the venue is right for this big event.”

On the other table, Judd Trump blitzed to a 6-0 whitewash win over Jamie Jones as he continued his quest for a first UK title since 2011.

Trump defeated Mark Allen 10-8 in the final 12 years ago, but despite being to the final on two occasions since then he is yet to register a second UK Championship victory.

The Ace in the Pack is the form player of the season so far, having won three consecutive titles at the English Open, Wuhan Open and the Northern Ireland Open. He was ruthless in his demolition of Welshman Jones today, firing in breaks of 100, 59 and 51 along the way. Trump awaits the winner of Mark Selby against Barry Hawkins in the last eight.

Ding played really well indeed. Ford looked frustrated towards the end but he was again a really strong player on the day. Trump on the other hand wasn’t tested. Jamie Jones can be truly excellent on his day but yesterday was definitely not his day. He played poorly.

Evening session:

Selby Edges Hawkins In Epic

Mark Selby defeated his flatmate for the week Barry Hawkins 6-5 after a thrilling final frame decider in their last 16 clash at the MrQ UK Championship in York.

Selby and Hawkins have become close friends in recent years, but this evening’s encounter was contested fiercely right down to the final balls. Hawkins had a chance in the last frame to clear, but agonisingly snookered himself on the final blue. Eventually it was four-time World Champion Selby who potted a difficult blue bridging over the top of the black and then deposited the pink to get over the line.

Victory earns Selby a mouth-watering quarter-final showdown with player of the season so far Judd Trump, who won three consecutive titles at the English Open, Wuhan Open and Northern Ireland Open. However, Selby can take confidence from the fact he won their most recent meeting at the 2023 Shanghai Masters 6-1.

The 22-time ranking event winner will be hoping that he can capture his first silverware of the season, having regularly knocked on the door. Selby has already made semi-finals at the Shanghai Masters and the European Masters and was runner-up at the British Open.

Selby fired in breaks of 142, 101, 76 and 70 on his way to establishing a 5-3 lead this evening. However, Hawkins replied with contributions of 84 and 88 to force a decider, where Selby eventually got over the line after a 58-minute final frame.

“I’m happy to win, but I’m exhausted. It was a tough game and it was always going to be tough. Barry gives you nothing out there. You basically have to play like that to beat him. He is a quality player,” said 40-year-old Selby.

“I just said I was sorry to him at the end. We are sharing an apartment together and the way he was going at the end I was thinking I’d rather he had beaten me 6-2. The way the match went for either of us it was going to be a horrible way to lose.

“Judd is the player of the season by a long stretch. He is definitely the man in form and the man to beat. I am going to be up against it. I’ll have to play somewhere similar to that or the performance against Mark Joyce to stand a chance. I will enjoy the challenge.”

On the other table, Mark Williams reached the 110th ranking event quarter-final of his career, after a 6-4 defeat of fellow Welshman Jamie Clarke.

Williams crafted three century runs of 138, 107 and 100 on his way to this evening’s victory. Next up the world number eight faces a last eight meeting with China’s Ding Junhui.

The Hawkins v Selby match was always going to be hard fought and difficult for both of them. You have to admire their professionalism under such circumstances. This was one of the very best matches so far this season but I doubt either if them enjoyed it.

Ronnie won his opening match at this year UK Championship yesterday, exactly 30 years after he won his first UK Championship, his first ranking tournament, in 1993, beating Stephen Hendry in the Final. He beat Anthony Mc Gill by 6-2, from 0-2 down.

Here are the numbers

And the report by WST on the afternoon session:

I’m A Born Again Snooker Player – O’Sullivan

Ronnie O’Sullivan got his 2023 MrQ UK Championship campaign underway with a 6-2 win over Anthony McGill in York and 30 years to the day since he first lifted the title in this event as a 17-year-old, he branded himself as a “born again snooker player”.

O’Sullivan’s maiden UK title back in 1993 came when he defeated Stephen Hendry 10-6 at the Preston Guild Hall. It made him the youngest ever winner of a ranking event and was the first of 39 ranking crowns to date.

The Rocket has established himself as the greatest player in the history of the sport in virtually all statistical categories, including his seven UK Championship victories. He’s off to a strong start in his bid for an eighth and will now await the winner of Thepchaiya Un-Nooh and Robert Milkins’ last 32 clash this evening.

World number one O’Sullivan is currently engaged in a three-way battle for the summit of the world rankings. Both World Champion Luca Brecel and player of the season so far Judd Trump are in contention to usurp him. Trump must make at least the semi-finals, while Brecel has to win the event.

Defeat for Scotland’s McGill is a continuation of his unfavourable record against O’Sullivan. He’s now lost eight of their nine meetings, but did beat the Englishman on snooker’s biggest stage at the Crucible back in 2021.

It was McGill who made the fastest start this afternoon, firing in a break of 116 to take the opener. Having trailed in the second, he made a break of 56 to move two frames ahead. The Glaswegian had the first opportunities in the following two frames, but failed to capitalise and two breaks of 89 saw O’Sullivan make it 2-2 at the mid-session. When play resumed, further contributions of 66, 61 and 92 helped the seven-time World Champion make it six on the bounce and run out a 6-2 victor.

“When I was 35, I thought I was probably done and dusted. That is what usually happens. I’ve had my best ten years. I’m at that point where I thought everything Is a bonus and every year I get extra playing I appreciate it more. It is like having a second life in a way. I’m a born again snooker player,” said 47-year-old O’Sullivan.

“Anthony has played two games in qualifying and come here. It is always nice to have a couple of matches under your belt. At 2-0 down it was on me a little bit. I managed to play in and get involved in the game after that.”

On the other table, four-time Crucible king John Higgins scored a 6-3 win over Joe O’Connor to book his place in the last 16.

Victory for Higgins sees him move in front of O’Connor in the head-to-head standings, leading 3-2 having lost his first two matches against the Leicester cueman.

Higgins fired in breaks of 66, 76, 58, 122 and 66 on his way to victory and will now play either Neil Robertson or Zhou Yuelong.

Here is the end of the match …

And Ronnie’s post-match in the ES Studio also explaining why he was wearing trainers

Also some images shared on social media, including Weibo

Ronnie wasn’t at his best but those first round matches are never easy for the seeds who come against an opponent who has already at leat two matches under their belt and has already secured 10000 pounds and ranking points.

This is WST report on the evening session:

Zhou Ends Robertson Streak

China’s Zhou Yuelong scored his first win over Neil Robertson, beating the Australian 6-2 on a night of tremendous entertainment in York at the MrQ UK Championship.

Defeat for Robertson ends an incredible 16-year streak. The 23-time ranking event winner won a professional title in each calendar year between 2006 and 2022, but failed to capture silverware in 2023. He now heads home to Australia for an extended break over the Christmas period.

World number 26 Zhou had lost all three of his previous meetings with the Thunder from Down Under. That included a 6-2 loss in the 2020 UK Championship semi-finals and a 9-0 defeat in the 2020 European Masters final.

Victory for Zhou sets up a last 16 showdown with four-time World Champion John Higgins, who he has previously said he would like to mentor him at some point in the future. The Chengdu cueman will head into that clash with the legendary Scot full of confidence, having already come through two matches in qualifying, including a 6-5 win over Ian Burns on Judgement Day.

Zhou fired in a break of 80 to take the opener this evening, before Robertson claimed a tight second to restore parity at 1-1. A break of 134 from Zhou in the third was bettered when Robertson hammered in a stunning 135 in the fourth to head in for the mid-session level at 2-2.

When play resumed an inspired Zhou burst clear to romp to the finish line. Runs of 67, 99, 136 and 74 saw him rack up four on the bounce to seal an impressive 6-2 victory.

Zhou said: “I felt confident today and I felt comfortable. I know Neil is a very good opponent. He is very strong so I needed to give him pressure and I needed to be perfect. I did that.

“John Higgins is my favourite player and also my idol. I will enjoy playing against him. When I was younger I always watched him and Ronnie and Mark Williams too. For many years he has always been in the top eight. He is a very tough player.”

On the other table, Robert Milkins came through a pulsating encounter with Thepchaiya Un-Nooh 6-5 to book a meeting with world number one Ronnie O’Sullivan in the second round.

Milkins was placed firmly on the back foot in the early stages of this encounter, when Un-Nooh composed breaks of 93, 127 and 85 to move 3-1 ahead at the mid-session interval.

The Gloucester cueman sprang into life after the break, embarking on a brilliant attempt at a 147. However, Milkins missed a tricky last red to end his run on 112. It was soon two on the bounce when he compiled a contribution of 99 in the seventh to make it 4-3. Un-Nooh then moved one from victory at 5-3, but Welsh Open champion Milkins refused to fade and hammered in a 121 to stay in touch at 5-4.

World number 14 Milkins then took a narrow tenth frame on the pink and claimed the decider to score an important victory which moves him to the verge of Masters qualification.

Zhou played really well indeed, but all the same this is another disastrous result for Neil Robertson who looked quite upset to me at the end of the match. Robertson confirmed to Eurosport that he will now take a break and travel to Australia to see his family, something he hasn’t done for four years. All this that he will not qualify for the World Grand Prix and, will really need some good results in the second half of the season if he wants to keep his place in the top 16.

… Ronnie spoke to the BBC to his situation vis-á-vis World Snooker

Ronnie O’Sullivan: Seven-time world champion says he was asked to ‘consider future’ by governing body

By Steve Sutcliffe – BBC Sport

Seven-time world champion Ronnie O’Sullivan says snooker’s governing body asked him “to consider” his future in the sport in a recent letter.

O’Sullivan, 47, is facing disciplinary action for publicly criticising the World Snooker Tour over its stance on five players appearing in an exhibition event in Macau earlier this season. 

He has also threatened to quit snooker over the row.

The WST has been asked to respond to O’Sullivan’s latest comments.

“The letter they’ve sent me has not been very nice,” the Englishman said.

“I think I’ve done a lot of good for this game. I’d expect someone to come out and say, ‘you know what, we think you’ve done great for the game, we love what you give‘. 

“I never get a ‘well done’ letter. All I get is a letter saying I’ve done this and that wrong. I’ve not spoken to anyone at World Snooker for 10 years and I won’t ever reach out to them again because I know the culture is not for me.“

Disciplinary action against the five players – current world champion Luca Brecel, four-time world champions John Higgins and Mark Selby, Thepchaiya Un-Nooh and Ali Carter – was averted when the event in Macau, a special administrative region of China, was moved to December, with WST permission.

Current world number one O’Sullivan backed the players in their dispute with the WST in October. 

More recently, Northern Ireland’s Mark Allen said he was hoping for a “peaceful resolution” to contract concerns when he and other players meet with snooker bosses during the UK Championship.

Specially organised events in East Asia are a lucrative proposition for stars such as O’Sullivan, who can attract large crowds whenever they play, and he believes that contracts to play on the main professional tour should offer more flexibility to allow that to happen.

“Sharing a slice of cake with 130 players [on the main tour] is difficult,” O’Sullivan said. 

“When I go to China, they are paying me 10 to 15 times the amount I can get to play here. At this stage of my career, I have to think of what is right for my family. I want them to have a comfortable life.”

Let me just say that I find the whole situation quite baffling! Ronnie remains a major attraction to the fans, he puts bums on seats more than anyone else. Why not seek a solution that would meet both sides needs and concerns. Of course, a player who will turn 48 in a few days does consider his future and will be focused on securing the best possible future for their family. Everyone with some common sense would do the same. It’s not rocket science! They would do the same if they were in his shoes. He has brought a lot to the sport for over 30 years. It’s not his fault if they failed to market the younger players better and are still relying on veterans to sell their sport. And they really should ask themselves WHY there are no young players, other than from Asia, really coming through to the very top. I have touched that subject a few times in the past and won’t repeat it here … just a hint … ditch the money list, ditch the flat draw.

Having been mainly on the road (and in the sky) over the last two days, I can’t comment much on the action in York. Here are the reports by WST covering the lat two days.

Sunday afternoon

Brecel Seeking Crucible Vibe In York

World Champion Luca Brecel is aiming to recapture the winning feeling at this week’s MrQ UK Championship in York and he made a strong start to his campaign with a 6-4 win over China’s Yuan Sijun.

Brecel dramatically catapulted himself to the top of the snooker world back in May by capturing his maiden Crucible crown. The Belgian defeated Mark Selby 18-15 in a classic world final. Since then he has enjoyed a period of celebration, which has involved travelling the globe and investing much of his winnings in new cars. In addition to the Ferrari he bought in the aftermath of the World Championship, the last week has also seen him purchase a Porsche and Range Rover.

On the table, Brecel’s main highlight since becoming World Champion has been a run to the Shanghai Masters final, where he was beaten 11-9 by Ronnie O’Sullivan. However, he is yet to go beyond the last 16 in ranking events this season. Brecel is determined to now push on and start hitting the heights of his exploits in Sheffield.

Yuan will be disappointed at this afternoon’s exit, but can take solace from two fine victories in qualifying. The 23-year-old beat Alexander Ursenbacher 6-5, before a 6-3 defeat of 1997 World Champion Ken Doherty sealed qualification and his best ever UK Championship performance.

It was Yuan who took the opener, before Brecel burst into life with a sublime 127 to take the second. Yuan regained his lead, but a second century run of 108 from Brecel ensured parity heading into the mid-session at 2-2.

When play resumed Brecel burst two clear at 4-2, but Yuan replied by taking the seventh on the black and then claiming the eighth to make it 4-4. A break of 86 moved Brecel one from the win and he then got himself over the line by winning a hard fought 27-minute tenth frame. After the match he explained why he has decided now is the time to knuckle down in a bid to recapture his best form.

Brecel said: “It is maybe 80% for myself. As a World Champion you want to be performing well and playing well. A lot of people come to watch me, I don’t want to let them down and I don’t want to let myself down. The 20% is because I am a bit tired of hearing people say I am lazy. The way people see me, they maybe think I don’t care about snooker at all. Actually, it is the total opposite. I love this game and I love performing well and winning. Maybe I want to show a bit more of the way Luca really is and try to get back into the winner’s circle.

“There are a lot of positives to take. I think if I can cut out the little mistakes then I could be dangerous. I just came to York to maybe just try to find that little bit of confidence and get that feeling of going deep in tournaments. I want to get that World Championship vibe again. Who knows? If I play well in the next game and win I am in the quarter-finals and it could maybe kick start my season.

“I bought two other cars this week, so I went from a millionaire to a non-millionaire. Obviously you just pay them cash, but it means you have the money in your hands for the bad days that come, so maybe it’s a little bit of an investment as well, some might go up value. I bought it because I know it doesn’t depreciate a lot, so I’m maybe not as stupid as al lot of people think. It was a conscious decision to buy the cars and maybe feel that bit of pressure again. I didn’t go lazy, but I haven’t felt that hunger or motivation I don’t like that feeling. I had to change something.”

On the other table, recently crowned International Champion Zhang Anda came through a marathon battle with Elliot Slessor 6-5 to set up a last 16 showdown with Brecel.

The match lasted four hours and 38 minutes, with Zhang battling back from the brink at 5-4 down. A nerveless run of 70 saw him force the final frame and he held his nerve in the decider, making a break of 46 on his way to getting over the line.

Luca was far from his best, but for the first time this season I had the feeling that he was really mentally focused on the match.

Sunday night

Vafaei Battles Past The Magician

Iran’s Hossein Vafaei earned a late night 6-4 victory over 2005 World Champion Shaun Murphy, after the evening session was delayed by an hour due to a fire alarm at the MrQ UK Championship in York.

It was the first time Vafaei and Murphy have faced off on the World Snooker Tour, other than at the Shoot Out, and high octane snooker was expected with both players known for their aggressive style of play. However, the unexpected delay in play meant for a fragmented start when the pair finally took to the arena at 8pm.

Vafaei had to come through qualifying to make it to the Barbican, but he is used to landing seismic wins in York, having knocked out four-time World Champion Mark Selby in each of the last two years.

This evening’s tie saw Vafaei win a low scoring opener with just 56 points, before adding the second to move 2-0 up. The third frame went the way of Murphy and the Magician then clinched the fourth on the black to head into the mid-session level at 2-2.

Breaks of 52 and 100 saw Vafaei reassert his authority on proceedings after play got back underway, moving 4-2 ahead. He was pegged back to 4-3, but a break of 78 then saw world number 18 Vafaei move one from victory at 5-3. Although Murphy extended the match by taking the ninth, Vafaei made a crucial break of 67 to get over the line and secure his place in the last 16.

Vafaei said: “To be honest with you, I will take that but I didn’t play really well. The most important thing for me is that I am still in the tournament and I’m in the next round. The match went a little bit slow. I managed to win and got a century. I am quite happy.

“My body was going because the situation happened one hour before the match. Everyone got moved because of the fire alarm. It made us a little bit tired. In the end I managed everything really well.

“I was in my dressing room and I got told we had to go out because fire could come inside that room as well. I took my cue and I ran outside. We got moved to the pub, where it was warm and nice. Half an hour later they came and told us we could go back because everything was fixed.”

Next up Vafaei faces world number 29 Matthew Selt, who defeated fellow Essex cueman Ali Carter 6-3.

Selt crafted breaks of 111, 102 and 73 on his way to victory. He will be gunning for a second trip to the UK Championship quarter-finals in the next round, while his opponent Vafaei is seeking a maiden place in the last eight.

8 pm in York was 9 pm in the UK and having to travel the next morning, I only watched the first couple of frames of the Murphy v Vafaei match. Both players looked a bit out of sorts, probably because their pre-match routine had been badly derailed by the fire alert. My feeling though was that, of the two, Hossein wanted it the most.

Monday afternoon

Trump Thrashes Pang In York

Judd Trump blitzed to a 6-1 win over Pang Junxu to remain in contention for a potential fourth ranking title of the season and the hunt for the world number one spot at the MrQ UK Championship in York.

The Ace in the Pack has enjoyed a phenomenal start to the season. He became only the fifth player in the history of snooker to land three consecutive ranking titles, thanks to an amazing 22-match streak. He jetted across the globe to pick up silverware in back-to-back weeks at the English Open, Wuhan Open and the Northern Ireland Open.

That burst of form has meant he stands a chance of usurping Ronnie O’Sullivan at the summit of the world rankings this week, the 34-year-old must make at least the quarter-finals. Next up he faces either Jack Lisowski or Jamie Jones in the last 16.

Pang, who was Rookie of the Year in 2021, came through two rounds of qualifying to clinch his place in the final stages, beating Mark Davis 6-4 and Craig Steadman 6-2. However, his reward was the unenviable task of facing the World Snooker Tour’s form player and that proved to be a bridge too far.

Trump came flying out of the blocks in the opening frame this afternoon, hammering home a break of 114 for an early lead. A fragmented 28-minute second went the way of Pang, who restored parity at 1-1. However, that was the last time he registered a frame, with 2011 UK Champion Trump blitzing for the line. He made further breaks of 124, 68 and 50 on his way to five on the bounce and a 6-1 victory. Afterwards Trump was relieved to progress, after revealing he has been struggling with illness this week.

“I didn’t feel great, but I will always turn up and give it my best. It is a big tournament and you want to do well in it. I just had lower expectations and maybe that helped a little bit. It was a decent first round performance, a couple of day is a long time and hopefully I can go away and feel a bit better,” said 26-time ranking event winner.

“I’m somewhere near my best, the performances are more and more consistent. Reaching a lot of finals fills you with confidence. I just feel very match sharp. I’ve played a lot of tournaments and a lot of games against top players.

“If I play anywhere near my best it is always going to be tough for anyone to compete against me. I just have to keep going away and playing decent every time. It is not always easy on the big stage. This is a tournament where I have either gone out early or done really well. The next one is a big game for me.”

On the other table, European Masters champion Barry Hawkins earned a hard fought 6-4 win over former Welsh Open finalist Ben Woollaston.

It was Woollaston who took charge in the early stages, making a break of 100 on his way to a 3-1 lead at the mid-session. However, Hawkins turned the tie around after the interval. He took five of the next four to secure his spot in the last 16. Next up the Londoner faces either close friend Mark Selby or Mark Joyce.

I didn’t see a ball of those matches … being in the air or in airports between Brussels and Santorini.

Monday night

Selby Sets Up Flat Share Showdown

Mark Selby whitewashed Mark Joyce 6-0 at the MrQ UK Championship in York to set up a last 16 clash with close friend Barry Hawkins, who he is sharing an apartment with this week.

York hasn’t been the happiest of hunting grounds for Selby in recent times. He suffered early exits in each of the last two years at the hands of Iran’s Hossein Vafaei. However, he is a two-time winner of the event, having most recently picked up the title in 2016 by beating Ronnie O’Sullivan in the final.

The four-time World Champion has enjoyed good form so far this season despite having not yet captured silverware. He was runner-up to Mark Williams at the British Open and made semi-finals at the Shanghai Masters and European Masters. Selby’s defeat in the European Masters came at the hands of his upcoming opponent, Hawkins.

Joyce came through three rounds of qualifying to make it to the final stages, beating Iulian Boiko, Xiao Guodong and Joe Perry to earn a place in York. However, today’s result extends a losing streak against Selby, who he has never beaten. The Jester from Leicester now leads their head-to-head standings 6-0.

This evening’s tie lasted just an hour and 43 minutes, with Selby ruthlessly sprinting for the line. He compiled breaks of 82, 61, 75 and 80 on his way to the whitewash win.

“It is tough, I’ve been on the end of it myself over the years. He’s done brilliantly to qualify and it is massive occasion for him in a great venue. He wants to go out there and put a performance in. He didn’t do too much wrong though,” said 40-year-old Selby.

“Barry will be making me a tea with a cup of cyanide in! I will have to blank him now. It’s a lovely apartment we are in but we are in the next room to each other. At the start of the competition he said that he’d looked at the accommodation and asked if I fancied sharing an apartment. The draw came out for the seeds and we knew if we both won we would play each other. I said to him that I was going to have the apartment all to myself! Barry is a great lad, one of my best friends on the tour and a great player. He is one of the form players so I will need to play somewhere similar to today to compete.”

On the other table, Jamie Jones came through a nerve-shredding encounter with Jack Lisowski 6-4 to set up a second round showdown with 2019 World Champion Judd Trump.

Jones had trailed 2-0, after Lisowski came from behind to take the first and then won the second on a re-spot having fluked the black twice. A break of 101 saw the Welshman get his first frame on the board and he then took the fourth on the pink to restore parity at 2-2.

The fifth frame saw Jones fire in a fine break of 113 to take the lead for the first time at 3-2. The following two frames were traded, before Lisowski claimed a tight eighth to make it 4-4. Jones went on to take the next two in a row and ensure his place in the next round.

After traveling all day, I tried to watch a bit of the evening match between the two Mark(s), Selby and Joyce. Mark Joyce didn’t play badly in the first frame, but still lost it. I have no recollection of the second frame … and, no, I wasn’t drunk, just far too tired to concentrate on anything. After that I wisely went to bed…

As for Ronnie, who plays this afternoon, going by this article shared by Eurosport, he’s still motivated and wanting to win. But he also wants to prioritise the tournaments in Asia, including his own, non televised, shows. My guess is that, other than by his own feeling of been truly valued there, these decisions are also motivated by what his sponsors want. Also, although Ronnie claims to be always motivated if he enters a tournament, some days ago I stumbled upon an article quoting him and saying that World title number seven had took so much out of him that for several months he really didn’t want to be near a snooker table and didn’t practice. Unfortunately I didn’t save the link but I believe that. It’s consistent with what we saw last season. That’s Ronnie for you: what he says is genuine on the moment but it’s only a reflection of his emotional state there and then.

Two seeds and two qualifiers emerged the winners on the first day at the Barbican in York.

Here are the reports shared by WST:

Afternoon session:

Ding Battles Illness To Dethrone Allen

Ding Junhui overcame dizziness and a fever to edge defending champion Mark Allen 6-5 in a repeat of last year’s final on day one of the MrQ UK Championship in York.

The 2022 title match saw Allen rally from 6-1 down to overhaul Ding on his way to earning a stunning 10-7 victory and becoming UK Champion for the first time. The Northern Irishman came into this year’s event in strong form, having won the recent Champion of Champions, but today’s result sees him suffer an early exit. It’s the first time he’s lost his opening match in York since 2012.

China’s three-time UK Champion Ding had to come through two qualifying rounds to earn his place in the final stages, after being edged out of the world’s top 16 by compatriot Zhang Anda and Tom Ford. Following today’s game he admitted he was close to pulling out of the tournament after becoming unwell in recent days.

The first frame saw Allen come flying out of the blocks, crafting a break of 67 to move 1-0 ahead. A dramatic second went the way of Ding, who cleared with 50 to steal on the final ball, culminating with a tricky cut back black to make it 1-1. Ding then took a tight third frame on the pink, before breaks of 47 and 30 in the fourth saw Allen head into the mid-session level at 2-2.

When play resumed Allen took charge of proceedings, runs of 106 and 60 moved him 4-2 ahead. Ding appeared to be struggling visibly in his chair, but he somehow summoned his best snooker despite that just when he required it. Contributions of 79 and 63 helped him to restore parity at 4-4.

Allen had an opportunity to move one from victory, but ran out of position on 65. Ding ruthlessly stepped up and cleared with 71 to go 5-4 ahead. Allen forced the decider with a break of 70 in a fiercely fought 10th frame. The Pistol had the first chance in the decider, but an unexpected missed red to the left middle left the door open for Ding, who obliged with 102 to claim victory. He now plays either Tom Ford or Noppon Saengkham.

“Every time he made 60 or 50 and I had a chance, I was straight into the black ball area. I made the points that I could. I didn’t put a lot of pressure on myself. I couldn’t think about it that way, because I don’t feel very good,” admitted 14-time ranking event winner Ding.

“I was in the doctors to get some tablets and they haven’t worked yet. In the morning I couldn’t even stand. I thought I maybe wouldn’t be able to play today. I just made it happen and I felt a bit better before the match started. I was thinking of just giving a walkover for this game. I tried to play.”

Allen said: “It was a strange game. I felt like I was in complete control in so many frames and kept losing the frames I was ahead in. I was 5-4 down and I didn’t know how. On another day I win that match 6-1. If you don’t take your chances in this game they come back to bite you and Ding made a good break in the last.

“I’m disappointed to lose. I don’t want to go out in the first round of the UK, but I played well there. I played much better than Ding did. It was just one of those strange games that happens now and again. I did all of the scoring in the game. There were just a few silly mental errors on safeties.”

On the other table, three-time World Champion Mark Williams secured a hard fought 6-4 win over former European Masters winner Fan Zhengyi.

The Welshman composed breaks of 54, 61 and 86 on his way to victory. Next up he faces either Kyren Wilson or Jamie Clarke.

Williams said: “It was a good win for me. I didn’t play too well to be honest. I got a brand new tip on yesterday. The table was really reactive and was excellent. The crowd was excellent. What an atmosphere walking in there, I just didn’t play too well. I’m happy to get through and I potted a good long red in the last frame.”

Ding looked really ill for most of the match. At times I feared he could collapse there and then. Before the interval he really struggled badly. All credits to him for what he did yesterday. He showed huge respect for the fans and the tournament.

I find it a bit sad that Mark Allen felt the need to say that he played better than Ding given the circumstances. He can’t have failed to noticed how unwell Ding was. Yes, he was the heavier scorer, but Ding outplayed him in the safety department. But then, of course, he is the defending champion, it was a very important match for him, he was ahead for most of it. Of course, he’s bitterly disappointed. Such defeats hurt and he’s only human.

Evening session:

Ford Stuns Saengkham On Night Of Fightbacks

Tom Ford mounted a magnificent fightback to come from 5-1 down and beat Noppon Saengkham 6-5 on day one of the MrQ UK Championship in York.

Ford was staring down the barrel of defeat after a barrage of breaks from Saengkham moved the Thai just one from victory. He fired in contributions of 54, 126, 58, 100 and 127 on his way to establishing a 5-1 lead. However, Ford has been working on the mental side of his game in recent years and showed his steel to claw his way back into contention.

World number 16 Ford narrowly earned an automatic place at this year’s event with a brilliant run to the final of the recent International Championship, where he was runner-up to Zhang Anda. He now faces a huge clash with world number 17 Ding Junhui in the second round, with the winner assuming pole position in the race for Masters qualification.

Breaks of 61 and 130 helped Ford move from 5-1 to 5-3 and remain in contention. A dramatic ninth frame saw Saengkham miss an ambitious final red to the yellow pocket. Ford stepped in and cleared with 32 to take the frame on the black and pull within a single frame at 5-4. The Leicester cueman forced a decider, but it was Saengkham who had the first significant contribution with a run of 55. The break ended after Saengkham ran out of position and Ford clinched victory with a brilliant break of 66, punching the air after depositing match ball on the pink.

“I’m smiling and that doesn’t normally happen very often. I was 5-1 down, but I seemed to have a chance every frame. I was blowing them, but when he got in he scored so well. I just kept on fighting and luckily enough I got a few frames back. I thought I was still in it and knuckled down. I’m over the moon,” said 40-year-old Ford.

“I had no chance of winning that match a few years ago. I’d have already been out of the building. I’d have most likely smashed the pack and gone. I tried to stay as focussed as I could, get a couple of frames back and see what happens.

“I was sat there at 5-5, when he was on a break and I was thinking I’d done all of that for nothing. I tried to keep the self belief and fortunately when he let me in the balls went perfect. It was down to me at the end of the day to mess it up, but luckily I kept my nerve and got over the line.”

The pattern of the game on the other table was a mirror image, with Kyren Wilson moving 5-1 ahead before Welshman Jamie Clarke rallied to score a huge 6-5 victory.

Clarke made breaks of 80, 104, 52 and 76 on his way to turning the tie around. He now faces compatriot and three-time World Champion Mark Williams in the last 16. The pair met in the opening round last year, with Clarke coming on top by a 6-3 scoreline. After this evening’s game, Clarke was over the moon to pull off his unlikely comeback win.

“That was one of the best feelings I’ve ever had on a snooker table. I couldn’t believe I won in the end,” said 29-year-old Clarke. “The truth of it was I was looking forward to going home tomorrow. I had a good week in the qualifiers and I wasn’t relaxed out there. I calmed down, found my form at 5-3 and then 5-4. Adrenaline was pumping through my body and it was a really good experience for me.”

I have put part of Tom’s and Jamie’s quotes in bold. Those words are very true, very honest. Tom has always been extremely gifted but controlling his emotions was always a problem. Credits to him for working on it, it’s not easy. In a way, Jamie Clarke is the same: an extremely gifted player who has lost far too often from a seemingly winning position. I wrote “in a way” because they are very different men. Tom used to be an “angry” person, Jamie, if anything, is too nice and it shows in his quotes above: facing defeat he was looking forward to going home. That doesn’t mean he’s someone who gives up, just that sometimes being a bit more “angry” could help him.

… about the setup

This year each table has spectators on two sides right from round one at the venue. That’s good for the players and the atmosphere. The partition is a “full” partition, similar to what it is at the Crucible. That’s a good initiative as it shields the players completely from visual distractions coming from the adjacent table.

… about the tournament format

I remain convinced that this format is far better for everyone than the flat draw. David Grace was reflecting on social media that the flat draw meant that they were all at the venue, “part of the tournament” even if they had to play in a different room. I get that but … the venue was really “cramped”, with four tables in the main arena, there wasn’t really enough space around the tables nearest to the side, the BBC wanted a strict seeding draw, leading to a lot of completely one sided first round matches in the main arena, where the top guys were playing young amateurs more often than not, whilst the close matches were played in the sports hall, a rather uninspiring place where, if you’re not that tall you struggled to actually see the table situation. This format gives all players a winnable match to start with, and those who make it to the main venue have already secured 10000 pounds and points. The qualifiers are extensively covered on stream, during the last round in particular. The pressure is firmly on the seeds in every round. Yes, they will get the money, but not the points.

Mark Allen is the defending champion and will be in action in the first session. He will face Ding Junhui, last season runner-up. Mark has spoken to the BBC ahead of the tournament:

Mark Allen: World number four targets ‘peaceful resolution’ to player contract concerns

24 November 2023

…

UK Championship
Venue: Barbican Centre, York Dates: Saturday, 25 November – Sunday, 3 December
BBC coverage: Watch live on BBC One, BBC Two, BBC Red Button and BBC iPlayer, as well as the BBC Sport website and mobile app. More details.

Mark Allen is seeking a “peaceful resolution” to contract concerns when he and other players meet with snooker bosses during the UK Championship.

Allen recently criticised World Snooker Tour (WST), saying the game was in “disarray” and that player contracts were “very restrictive”.

He later apologised on X, saying: “I regret and sincerely apologise for making these comments.”

Allen said he wants “all our cards on the table” in the meeting.

The world number four added: “Some of the issues I have are the same things that Ronnie [O’Sullivan] has said, so hopefully we can get a peaceful resolution because it’s obviously not ideal.

“It’s not ideal for me to be sitting here doing an interview when I can’t speak about things and be open and honest and I feel at the moment I can’t be.“

In response to Allen’s latest comments, WST said: “We have given all the players the chance to sit down with us this week and raise any concerns they have, and are always open to dialogue with them.”

…

Allen’s original comments were made after five players faced potential disciplinary action over their decision to take part in an exhibition event in Macau instead of appearing at this year’s Northern Ireland Open.

That action was averted when the event was moved to December with WST permission.

In October, Allen told BBC Northern Ireland he was “firmly in the players’ camp” over the dispute and that players needed to “be stronger and stand up to World Snooker and renegotiate this contract because it’s very restrictive of what we can and can’t do“.

He also told the Irish Mirror that “the game is in disarray, it’s gone nowhere in recent years“.

That led to him apologising on X, saying the comments were “damaging and I unreservedly withdraw them“.

Allen added: “[I] look forward to working with World Snooker in the future to ensure our great sport, and the players that make it, reaches its full potential and delivers for fans around the world.“

Seven-time world champion O’Sullivan told BBC Sport this week he was at a “crossroads” with snooker’s governing body and could quit the sport if he has to reduce the time he spends in China.

O’Sullivan said: “There’s not enough here for me in the UK to justify the effort that I put in. When I go to China I play in great venues, great crowds, great prize money. And I love it.“

Speaking before the UK Championship starts in York on Saturday, Allen, who goes into the tournament as defending champion, told BBC Sport: “I think you’d be surprised at how many players are feeling the same way; unfortunately they are not as vocal as the likes of Ronnie and myself.“

He believes him having to apologise “probably scares a few players“.

Allen added: “They’re maybe thinking that ‘I don’t want to get into trouble’ if Mark or Ronnie is getting into trouble for things they’ve said. It’s important for the players to have a voice too. There needs to be a balance and that’s something I’ll be discussing this week with WST.“

That clearly tells me that Allen may have apologised but he hasn’t changed his opinion regarding the whole situation.

In other news …

WST has published the draw for the 2023 Shoot-out

BetVictor Shoot Out Draw

Mark Williams, Shaun Murphy, Mark Allen, Kyren Wilson, Ali Carter, Hossein Vafaei, Stuart Bingham, Jimmy White, Ken Doherty and defending champion Chris Wakelin are among the star names in the line-up for the BetVictor Shoot Out at Swansea Arena next month.

Snooker’s most thrilling event, with a unique fast-moving format, runs from December 6th to 9th and will be staged in Swansea for the first time.

CLICK HERE FOR THE DRAW

CLICK HERE FOR THE FORMAT

All matches last a maximum of ten minutes, with a shot clock of 15 seconds for the first five minutes and just ten seconds for the last five. Players are put under extreme pressure as they battle the clock and their opponent. Fans are encouraged to interact with the players and enjoy the occasion!

…

Notable first round matches include:

Chris Wakelin, who beat Julien Leclercq in the final last season, v Pang Junxu.
Wednesday December 6th, 1pm session

Former World Champion Ken Doherty v Matthew Stevens.
Wednesday December 6th, 1pm session

World number four Mark Allen v Ben Woollaston.
Wednesday December 6th, 7pm session

Mark Davis v World Women’s Champion Baipat Siripaporn.
Wednesday December 6th, 7pm session

Five-time ranking event winner Kyren Wilson v Daniel Wells.
Wednesday December 6th, 7pm session

Crowd favourite Jimmy White v Zak Surety.
Wednesday December 6th, 7pm session

World number seven Shaun Murphy v Bulcsu Revesz.
Thursday December 7th, 1pm session

2022 Shoot Out king Hossein Vafaei v Welsh 15-year-old Riley Powell.
Thursday December 7th, 1pm session

Three-time Crucible king and top Welshman Mark Williams v Matthew Selt.
Thursday December 7th, 7pm session

The line-up also includes the best up-and-coming talent from around the UK and Ireland. The wild cards are:

• Liam Davies – Ranked number one on the Q Tour
• Riley Powell – Welsh Under-16 winner
• Jack Borwick – Scottish Under-16 winner
• Joel Connolly – Northern Ireland Under-21 winner
• Bulcsu Revesz – EBSA Under-18 Champion
• Shaun Liu – EPSB Under-14 winner
• Leone Crowley – Republic of Ireland Under-21 winner
• Oliver Sykes – Currently ranked number one on English Junior Tour

An exciting day out is guaranteed for fans! Part of the BetVictor Series, the event is televised by Eurosport, discovery+ and many other broadcasters worldwide.

For the Shoot Out rules, see pages 42-46 of the online rule book.

…

Unsurprisingly quite a number of top players giving it a miss…

WST has also published an updated calendar

The updated tournament calendar for the 2023/24 season is now available.

The Six Red World Championship 2024 has been postponed at the request of the promoter. The World Open 2024 dates have also been changed, at the request of the promoter, to 18-24 March.

Click here for the updated tournament calendar

Also below is the updated re-ranking points schedule, which includes the World Open 2024.

Click here for the updated re-ranking points list

The 6-reds World Championship has been “postponed” but, as it stands, no new dates have been set (yet).