The Defending Champion is through to the quarterfinals in Shanghai after beating Zhou Jinhao by 6-1 this morning (afternoon in China).
Zhou had impressed against Zhang Anda and got the better start today as well as he won the first frame against Ronnie. But Ronnie, who looked very focused and calm around the table, played really well after that and didn’t lose another frame. Ronnie was watched by his children Lilly and Ronnie Jr.
SHANGHAI MASTERS DAY TWO: ROCKET CONTINUES RED HOT STREAK
Ronnie O’Sullivan got his bid for a fifth straight Shanghai Masters title underway with a 6-1 demolition of Chinese 16-year-old Zhou Jinhao.
The Rocket has won a remarkable 19 consecutive matches in Shanghai and hasn’t lost in the city since a defeat at the hands of Michael Holt back in 2016.
He fired in breaks of 85, 78, 85, 79 and 60 during today’s match and will now play either old adversary Ali Carter of Chinese legend Ding Junhui.
Plus more images shared on Weibo.
Also shared on Weibo a pictures of Ronnie taking part in the “Opening Ceremony”
Ronnie O’Sullivan is enjoying an eight-year undefeated streak at the Shanghai Masters, but today he spoke of his inspiration from one of tennis’ most dominant figures, Novak Djokovic.
The Rocket began his 2024 Shanghai Masters campaign with a 6-1 win over Chinese teenager Zhou Jinhao. However, away from the baize, he recently was invited to Wimbledon to support Djokovic in the Serbian’s private box.
O’Sullivan said: “He has to be up there with Michael Jordan and the greatest sportspeople that have been in any sport, not just tennis. I think every sportsperson looks at people like Djokovic and Jordan and think what they can learn from them. To meet him, watch him and have a few WhatsApp messages was great.”
O’SULLIVAN TALKS TENNIS, SNOOKER AND SHANGHAI
Plus the end of the match on their YouTube Channel
Ali Carter continued his red hot start to the season, with a 6-0 demolition of Chinese wildcard Lei Qiu at the Shanghai Masters.
The Captain got his campaign underway in the best fashion possible by claiming the sixth ranking crown of his career at the season opening BetVictor Championship League, where he beat Jackson Page 3-1 in the final. That came off the back of a fine 23/24 season, which saw him make finals at the Wuhan Open and the Masters.
Carter crafted breaks of 63, 76 and 51 during this morning’s win. The result sets up a mouth-watering last 16 clash with home hero Ding Junhui.
Carter said: “It is very difficult to win tournaments. I’m up to six ranking events in my tally and four Triple Crown finals. Whatever happens from now on in, I’ve had a good career. If I win another tournament, then great, if I don’t then fine. If I keep being consistent then I will be knocking on the door.”
Chinese 16-year-old Zhou Jinhao scored a stunning 6-3 win over compatriot and International Champion Zhang Anda. The amateur stormed to a shock 5-1 lead, before Zhang pegged him back to 5-3. The ninth frame came down to a safety exchange on the final black, but it was Zhou who fortuitously prevailed after a fluking the black from a missed double. He now faces seven-time World Champion Ronnie O’Sullivan.
CARTER REFLECTS ON OPENING WIN
Welshman Mark Williams was made to work hard to score a 6-3 win over Chinese wildcard Wang Xinbo. The three-time World Champion had raced to a 3-0 lead, but Wang edged his way back to 5-3 behind. In the end Williams took the ninth to get over the line and book a second round clash with Judd Trump.
Former World Championship semi-finalist Si Jiahui emerged as a 6-3 victor over world number 13 Tom Ford. He now faces Belgium’s Luca Brecel. Zhou Yuelong was a 6-4 victor in a tight encounter with Barry Hawkins, that sets up a second round meeting with World Champion Kyren Wilson.
John Higgins put on a superb display to thrash Lyu Haotian 6-1 and set up a second round clash with Shaun Murphy. The Wizard of Wishaw fired in breaks of 126, 73, 135, 58 and 92 on his way to the comprehensive win. That leaves him just two shy of 1000 career centuries, on 998.
Missing from this report is the last match to finish, a 6-4 win for Zhou Yuelong over Barry Hawkins. This was a hard fought and high quality match, although, for some reason maybe not the most enthralling match to watch. Barry won the first frame, then Zhou ran to a 4-1 lead aided by breaks of 116, 126 and 133. During those for frames Barry scored just one point. Then the momentum shifted and Barry came back all square at 4-4. In frame 7, Barry had a break of 141, the highest of the match. The last two frames were close in scores but Zhou won them both with breaks of 54 and 57.
Zhou Jinhao’s win over Zhang Anda was a surprise to most I suppose but probably not to Bai Yulu, Indeed when WST interviewed her for her “Q&A” feature, she was asked who were currently the best juniors in China and Zhou Jinhao was one of the three players she named. Zhou Jinhao will be Ronnie’s opponent tomorrow…
The 2024 Shanghai Masters is only a few hours away from now. As usual Kalacs has done a great job hunting images and videos on Weibo. Make sure to check the comments section. Thank you Kalacs!
The two wildcards are finally known: Qiu Lei will play Ali Carter and Cao Jin will play Jak Jones.
Ronnie has arrived in Shanghai accompanied by Robin Huxley – as often – and by his children Lilly and Ronnie Jr. As far as I know, this is a first.
WST has today published the draws for three events: the 2024 Xian Grand Prix, the 2024 Wuhan Open and the 2024 British Open round one. Here is what you need to know:
The draw and match schedule is now available for the qualifying rounds of the new Xi’an Grand Prix, running from July 25th to 27th at the Mattiloli Arena in Leicester.
Please note that there is no access for fans at this qualifying event.
Players need to win one match to make it through to the final stages in the historic city of Xi’an in China’s Shaanxi Province in August.
The following matches have been held over to the final venue:
World Champion Kyren Wilson v Haris Tahir Stuart Bingham v wild card Ding Junhui v Alfie Burden Ronnie O’Sullivan v Wang Yuchen Zhang Anda v Oliver Lines Graeme Dott v wild card Mark Selby v wild card Jamie Clarke v wild card World number one Mark Allen v Liu Hongyu
All other qualifying matches will take place in Leicester, including:
John Higgins v Alexander Ursenbacher Mark Williams v Liam Graham Neil Robertson v Allan Taylor Si Jiahui v Jimmy White Luca Brecel v Hammad Miah Judd Trump v Antoni Kowalski Shaun Murphy v Mitchell Mann
Staged under a new multi-year agreement with the Chinese Billiards and Snooker Association and Shaanxi Sports Industry Group Limited, the tournament will be the first ever WST event in the historic city of Xi’an in China’s Shaanxi Province.
Running from August 19-25 in its inaugural year, the Xi’an Grand Prix will have total prize money of £850,000 and a top prize of £177,000, with the prize money to increase in subsequent years to £875,000 and then £900,000.
Xi’an, which has a population of 13 million, is the capital of the Shaanxi Province in central China. It is renowned as the furthest eastern point of the Silk Road trade route which dates back over 2,000 years. Xi’an was also the capital of a series of ancient dynasties and is home to the world-famous Terracotta Warriors. These days, Xi’an is celebrated as the cultural, financial and educational centre of the region.
The draw and match schedule is now available for the qualifying rounds of the Wuhan Open, running from July 28th to 30th at the Mattiloli Arena in Leicester.
Please note that there is no access for fans at this qualifying event.
The following matches have been held over to the final venue:
Defending champion Judd Trump v Antoni Kowalski Yuan Sijun v wild card Ding Junhui v Robbie McGuigan Ronnie O’Sullivan v Mitchell Mann Zhang Anda v Dean Young Jordan Brown v wild card Martin O’Donnell v wild card David Gilbert v wild card World Champion Kyren Wilson v Liam Davies
All other qualifying matches will take place in Leicester, including:
John Higgins v Ben Mertens Mark Williams v Allan Taylor Luca Brecel v Duane Jones Mark Allen v Bai Yulu Neil Robertson v Ken Doherty Mark Selby v Long Zehuang Shaun Murphy v Michael Holt
The 2023 Wuhan Open was the first world ranking event staged in China since 2019, and the first ever in the city of Wuhan, and it proved a great success.
Judd Trump won the title, beating Ali Carter 10-7 in the final.
WST Chairman Steve Dawson said: “It was fantastic to host a tournament for the first time in Wuhan, the capital of Hubei Province and a vibrant city of 11 million people. There is a vast appetite for snooker among fans in China and they have enjoyed the return of our star players. We look forward to working with our partners on building a bright future for snooker in the region.”
Mark Williams will face Rory Thor when he begins the defence of his British Open title in Cheltenham in September.
All-time greats including Ronnie O’Sullivan, Judd Trump, John Higgins, Mark Selby, Mark Allen, Shaun Murphy and new World Champion Kyren Wilson are in the field for the tournament which runs from September 23 to 29 at the Centaur Arena at Cheltenham Racecourse.
Williams beat Mark Selby in the final last year at the ITV-televised tournament which has a random draw for all rounds.
The first round draw has been made and all matches involving the top 16 seeds have been held over to the final venue. they are:
Three-time Crucible king Mark Williams v Malaysia’s top player Rory Thor Snooker’s greatest ever player Ronnie O’Sullivan v Manasawin Phetmalaikul World number one Mark Allen v three-time ranking event winner Gary Wilson World number two Judd Trump v Robert Milkins World Champion Kyren Wilson v Julien Leclercq Four-time World Champion Mark Selby v Pang Junxu Legend John Higgins v Ross Muir Triple Crown winner Shaun Murphy v Ian Burns 2023 World Champion Luca Brecel v Mohamed Shehab Barry Hawkins v Liam Davies Ali Carter v Bulcsu Revesz Ding Junhui v Aaron Hill Jak Jones v Sanderson Lam Zhang Anda v Jordan Brown Tom Ford v Gong Chenzhi Ryan Day v Louis Heathcote
The schedule for these matches in Cheltenham will be announced soon.
The remaining first round ties will take place at the qualifying round in Leicester from July 31st to August 3rd.Please note that there is no access for fans at this qualifying event.
On 11th July 2024 Michael White was sentenced to 36 months imprisonment for assault occasioning Actual Bodily Harm on his then partner. The WPBSA does not tolerate such behaviour by a Member and has taken immediate action to remove Michael White as a Member of the WPBSA.
The WPBSA had been monitoring the case and upon his sentence convened an emergency board meeting. A resolution was passed to cease Michael White’s Membership of the WPBSA with immediate effect.
Therefore, Michael White will now be removed from the world ranking list and World Snooker Tour.
Michael White has the right to appeal the decision of the Board within 21 days of the decision.
WPBSA Articles of Association extract
24.2Provided always that the power is exercised bona fide for the benefit of the WPBSA as a whole and shall be capable of application without discrimination to all Members, it shall be lawful for the Board to pass a resolution at a meeting thereof (of which due notice including notice of the intention to propose such resolution shall have been given) that any Member shall cease to be a Member and if such resolution is passed by not less than two-thirds of the Directors present and voting, then such resolution shall take effect as from the conclusion of such meeting or from such later date as such resolution may prescribe for the purpose and the company secretary shall send notice to the Member so expelled immediately following conclusion of that meeting informing the relevant Member of the resolution of the Board.
24.3 Any Member expelled in accordance with the provisions of Article 24.2 may give a notice of appeal to the company secretary within 21 days of the passing of such resolution whereupon the company secretary shall, as soon as reasonably practicable, convene a general meeting at which the expelled Member’s appeal shall be considered and such expulsion shall be upheld only if approved by a Special Resolution of the Voting Members. Such expelled Member shall be entitled to attend and speak at the general meeting but shall not be entitled to vote. Save as aforesaid the expelled Member shall have no rights as a Member from the date on which the resolution under Article 24.2 takes effect unless his appeal is successful at a general meeting, in which case his rights as a Member will resume from the conclusion of such meeting.
24.5 Immediately upon cessation of membership of the WPBSA in accordance with this Article 24, such Member shall no longer be entitled to the privileges and benefits of membership of the WPBSA.
Michael White’s removal from the WST list of players yesterday, as well as the removal from his scheduled matches from the events’ planned schedule, was noticed and triggered a few questions on social media. Rumours of him being sentenced to three years in jail appeared too. Of course there were questions and speculations. Alas it all turned out to be true. This is ugly and, to me at least, shocking. I never expected this kind of behaviour from Michael. The 36 month jail sentence is harsh so I suppose that the assault must have been particularly violent and/or its consequences very serious.
World Grand Prix move to Hong Kong part of plan to reduce UK’s snooker dominance
Phil Haigh
Ronnie O’Sullivan won the World Grand Prix last season in Leicester (Picture: Getty Images)
The World Grand Prix is likely to leave the UK for the first time since it arrived on the World Snooker Tour calendar in 2015 and that looks set to be a sign of things to come in the coming years.
Talks are at an advanced stage for the tournament to be held in Hong Kong this season, in the new 10,000-seat indoor arena at Kai Tak Sports Park, which is still under construction.
Official confirmation of the move to the new venue is yet to arrive, but WST are ‘very confident’ that it will happen, in what would be a big step for the event which has been held in Leicester, Cheltenham, Coventry and Milton Keynes in recent years.
This is part of a plan to spread the sport across the globe a little more fairly as the World Snooker Tour is still mainly based in the UK.
Last season there were 23 professional tournaments held in the UK, with just seven abroad across China, Germany and Saudi Arabia.
This season there are 20 events currently on the calendar with 13 in the UK and seven elsewhere – although with more to be added to the schedule in the near future including the Grand Prix and World Masters of Snooker.
This is getting closer to a 50-50 split, which WST say is the target in the short-term, with the potential for more events to be abroad than in the UK in future.
A WST spokesperson told Metro: ‘You’ll see going forward, the Grand Prix being a great example, less events in the UK at smaller venues. There’s no room for us now to keep doing stuff in smaller places.
‘We’re looking to shift to a 50-50 model in the near future. By 2026/27 it should be 50-50 and it might even go beyond that, which is what it should be really. So there will be fewer UK events but they’ll be world class.’
New events overseas have joined the calendar this season, with the Xi’an Grand Prix in China and the big-money Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters coming up next month, both for the first time, with the World Masters of Snooker in Riyadh is likely to return for a second time in October.
Talk of a new tournament in Qatar was made public by Barry Hearn during the World Championship, and while that remains on the cards for 2025, it may be next season rather than the current one.
Where there has been decline, though, is in Europe where there is only the German Masters on the calendar this season, one event down from last season which saw the European Masters also hosted in Germany.
With the 2023 world champion being Belgian and hugely popular exhibition events held in the likes of Finland and Bulgaria, the presence in Europe is disappointing in terms of how global the game currently is.
However, WST insist they are ‘always looking at Europe’ and ‘desperately trying’ to expand the tour across the continent.
‘We need to move away from relying on the UK market,’ said the WST spokesperson.
Luca Brecel’s 2023 World Championship triumph is yet to lead to more European events (Picture: Getty Images)
With the imminent move for the Grand Prix, more of the ‘smaller’ ranking events in the UK could also be moved abroad or swapped for new international tournaments, with the likes of the English Open currently held in Brentwood certainly a candidate to change.
As for the World Grand Prix, confirmation is expected in the coming weeks on the venue, dates and TV coverage, with talks ongoing on all fronts.
Hong Kong is the likely destination, but dates in January and March are possible and whether ITV4 will continue to televise the event is still being discussed.
The event will remain the first in the three-tournament series which leads into the smaller field Players Championship and Tour Championship.
At last !!!
Well this is good news, well overdue but good news. And if WST is really trying to expand the tour in mainland Europe, I’m not sure what is stopping them. The appetite from the fans is there as the success of this summer exhibitions has shown. What I do know though is that Brexit isn’t making it easier and that there has to be something worth it for the local promoters/organisers. During the PTCs era, I know that organising those events cost the local promotors and staff a lot of work, time and energy and they got very little out of it. That model can’t work in the long term.
Oliver Lines emerged the winner of 2024 Pink Ribbon charity pro-am, the last man standing from a titanic 320 players field! He beat Elliott Slessor by 4-3 in the Final.
And here are all the results from the last two days:
Sanderson Lam lost by 4-3 to Ellliot Slessor in the last 32 but made a147 during that match, his first in competitive snooker.
Last 64 to Last 16 (breaks included)
The last 16 field featured some of the top young amateurs
Last 16 to Semi-finals (breaks included)
A big well done to everyone involved, to the players , to the referees, to the club, to those who came to watch and support, and, last but not least to the superman TD, Clive Brown!
Ronnie O'Sullivan 