Here is WST report on the first day of the 2024/25 season:
Ryan Day and Neil Robertson both progressed to the second group stage of the BetVictor Championship League ranking event as the 2024/25 season got underway in Leicester.
The opening tournament of the season runs until July 3rd. In the initial phase, 128 players are split into 32 groups of four, with those 32 group winners going through to the next round.
Drawn into Group 11, Day won his opening match against fellow Welshman and tour rookie Liam Davies, knocking in a top break of 61 in a 3-0 victory. He then drew 2-2 with Hammad Miah before ensuring top spot in the group with a fine display against Marco Fu, compiling runs of 125, 72 and 85 to win 3-0.
Australia’s Robertson needs a strong start to the season to climb back into the top 16 having dropped to 28th, and the early signs were good as he topped Group 21. After an opening 2-2 draw with Zach Richardson, former World Champion Robertson improved in a 3-0 defeat of Ka Wai Cheung then came from 1-0 down to beat Jamie Clarke 3-1 with top breaks of 70 and 93.
The action continues on Tuesday with Mark Williams among the quartet in Group 4, while Chris Wakelin is the highest ranked cueman in Group 17.
The early signs weren’t that good for Neil actually: a draw against Zak Richardson, an amateur who eventually finished last of the group, wasn’t a great start. But Neil improved rapidly and by the end of the day, was playing really well. I was impressed with Ka Wai Cheung. The rookie finished joined second in the group, on par with the vastly experienced Jamie Clarke, with one win, one draw and one loss. He’s still very raw of course, he has a lot to learn tactically and strategically. But he’s potted some awesome balls and, when things didn’t go his way, his attitude was good. No panic, no recklessness.
I saw less of the other group. That Liam Davies is very, very talented is no “breaking news”. We have known that since he was a small kid. Ryan Day is a tremendous player when able to relax, and Hammad Miah is a very, very tough opponent when he puts his mind to it. This was a tough group. All the same, finishing last is a worrying result for Marco Fu. But, maybe, he was just back from Hong Kong and jet-lagged? 2
Ronnie O'Sullivan 
Do you know why Bai withdrew, Monique?
Unfortunately yes. Not sure how this happened but the flight she was booked on arrives in the UK too late for her to be able to make it to the venue in time for her first match. That’s what I understood anyway
What a shame! Would’ve been three guaranteed matches. And I think she could have scored surprise wins with this format actually.
Yes, and with a bit of understanding from WST and/or Matchroom she may well have been able to play had the order of the matches been re-arranged. She lands early morning, but with traffic and all can’t be there in time for her first match.
That is true. A shame in many ways. I hope she plays in the Shanghai Masters again.