It’s only day 2 at the EIS and, already, the 2025 World Championship qualifiers delivered high quality snooker and huge drama. It definitely is, for me, the most interesting event of the year and deeply I regret that I’m no more in a position to attend it. Anyway…

Here is the report by WST on day 2 at the EIS:

Returning Zhao Flying High

Zhao Xintong blitzed to a stunning 10-3 win over Ka Wai Cheung, earning his place in the second round of Halo World Championship Qualifying in Sheffield.

Click here for full scores

Click here for day two as it happened

After his return from suspension, Zhao took to the amateur Q Tour this season to earn a place back on the professional circuit. He negotiated that with flying colours, winning four of the seven events to seal a two year tour card starting next season.

As one of the highest profile players competing in Crucible qualifying, there was huge expectation on 28-year-old Zhao’s shoulders before this encounter. He delivered with a devastating first session to go 8-1 up. This afternoon he crossed the line in style with a tournament high 141. Next up he faces Chinese compatriot Long Zehuang.

“I think overall I played quite well in this match. It’s been a while since I last competed here, so I really want to rediscover my best game. I wouldn’t say it was my peak performance yet, but I’m pretty happy with how it went and I know there’s still room to improve,” said 2021 UK Champion Zhao.

“To be honest, Q Tour wasn’t easy at all. Even though I got through, it was tough. The pressure was high and the field was strong. Some of the best amateurs from around the world were there. Some of the matches were really close. It might have looked easy from the outside, but it wasn’t. I just happened to play well at the right moments.”

Recent Q Tour Playoff winner Stephen Hallworth scored a fine 10-2 win over Bulcsu Revesz to book a second round meeting with Anthony Hamilton.

Hallworth has become more acquainted with the commentary box than the table over the last few years, having dropped off the circuit in 2022.

After today’s emphatic victory he had admitted broadcasting has helped his game and says he wishes to continue commentating alongside playing.

Hallworth said: “Particularly because I’ve been playing on the amateur circuit this year, having the commentary has kept me in touch with a lot of my friends and the top players. I’ve been able to watch the top players and see how the operate. It’s kept my mind as a professional. I felt I was well equipped to come through Q Tour and it has worked.

“We aren’t here to lie down. I wasn’t in this event a few weeks ago and winning the Q Tour Playoff has earned my spot. It is one game down and three to go. I’ve had one experience of playing in Judgement Day and I lost out to Gary Wilson. He played brilliantly. I’d love to put my name in the mix again.”

Jimmy White emerged victorious after a late night thriller with Anton Kazakov, prevailing 10-9. He eventually crossed the line with the clock reading 1:23am. Next up for the Whirlwind is a second round meeting with Ashley Carty.

Shoot Out runner-up Liam Graham won a marathon battle with Fergal Quinn 10-9 to keep his tour survival chances alive.

With Graham leading 9-8, the gruelling encounter got pulled off this afternoon. The 18^th frame got underway this evening and went the way of Quinn on a respotted black to force a decider. However, it was Graham who prevailed. He now faces fellow Scot Ross Muir.

Alexander Ursenbacher won a crucial game for his tour survival, beating Paul Deaville 10-6, while Liam Davies beat Ahmed Elsayed 10-2.

Where should I start? Yes, Zhao was sensational and very, very good to watch. If he keeps it up and qualifies for the Crucible nobody will want to draw him. Nobody!

Here is Zhao scoring a 141 … currently the tournament HB:

That’s some way to finish the day job!

There wasn’t much drama in that match though … but huge drama came in the evening when Jimmy White beat Anton Kazakov in a decider. Here is what happened at nearly 1:30 in the night¹.

You have to admire Jimmy. He will turn 63 in about three weeks time and he still has that burning passion for his sport. He still can play at a decent standard and he still takes pride in presenting himself in the best way he can, always smartly dressed with a rather charming old-fashion elegance.

The decider isn’t the only “drama” that this match presented … there was some “three miss rule” disaster as well early in the match:

Other results that caught my attention were

• The two Belgian youngsters, Julien Leclercq and Ben Mertens won their matches.
• Iulian Boiko destroyed Andrew Pagett. He won his match by 10-2, scoring 7 breaks over 50 in the process. He made two centuries, including a 128 to finish the job.
• Oli Lines was probably the comeback king of the day. He beat Mohamed Shehab by 10-8, from 0-5 and 3-8 down!
• Michal Szubarczyk lost by 10-8 to Dean Young but he should still be proud of himself. He’s only very young, this was a completely new experience for him. He lost the first four frames. He won eight of the remaining fourteen. It wasn’t enough but it certainly was a very commendable effort.

1. That was 3:30 at my place … just saying ↩︎