Eight matches were played to a conclusion yesterday at the EIS in Sheffield and you will find all the detailed results on snooker.org.
Here is the report shared by WST
Fatherhood Gives Wakelin Perspective
World number 20 Chris Wakelin says that becoming a father has released the on-table pressure after beating Xing Zihao 10-5 to earn his place in the final round of Halo World Championship Qualifying.
Wakelin’s baby daughter was born prematurely in January, but thankfully she is now doing well and her health has stabilised.
The experience over the last few months for Wakelin has placed snooker in perspective. He admits that the pressure he once felt at events such as Crucible qualifying has now dissipated.
Tonight’s encounter was finely poised at 5-5, until Wakelin blitzed for the line. Breaks of 62, 66 and 68 helped him to five on the bounce and victory. He now faces Martin O’Donnell, who beat Jordan Brown 10-8 with the clock just past 1am.
An appearance at the Crucible would cap off what has been an amazing campaign for Wakelin. He was runner-up to Ding Junhui at the International Championship and then went on to qualify for the Masters for the first time in January.
However, the Englishman says that irrespective of what happens on Judgement Day, he will be delighted with his season.
“It will be an amazing season regardless of what happens this week. I have missed out narrowly in the last couple of years and it would be a shame to not cap off the season. I am delighted with that win because he is a good player,” said 33-year-old Wakelin.
“The bottom line is that if I don’t get through, then I don’t really care. I’ve not had the best few months. I’ve had a nervous start to becoming a dad. The results over the last couple of months haven’t gone my way, but I’m aware the reason for that is I have a family now.
“It is absolutely magic being a dad. I never wanted children until I found out Lucy was pregnant. As much as it was scary when she was born prematurely, I am really grateful to all the people who have reached out to me. We are through the worst of it now, she is coming up to four months old and I’m looking forward to the future.
“I want to win, but if I lose I can say to myself that I can win the next tournament and I go home to a loving and beautiful partner and a little baby girl who is doing amazingly. The results aren’t as important anymore. I’ll try my absolute best, but the reality is I’m very lucky in my life with the people around me.”
Zhao Xintong is just one win away from a Crucible return after defeating Chinese compatriot Lyu Haotian 10-4.
Former UK Champion Zhao will regain his professional status next season after returning from suspension and playing on the amateur Q Tour this term. Victory in four of the seven events saw Zhao comfortably top the standings and earn a tour card.
The hugely talented 28-year-old crafted runs of 90, 137, 59 and 116 in the last five frames to seal victory. He now plays Elliot Slessor, who defeated Marco Fu 10-6.
Ben Woollaston and Mark Davis battled it down to the final black, but after a 58-minute decider, it was Woollaston who prevailed 10-9. He moves on to face Ross Muir in the final round. Muir is gunning for a Crucible debut and defeated Tom Ford 10-7.
.As usual this report by WST is far from exhaustive. One results that has been overlooked but pleased me is the Sunny Akani’s win over Noppon Saengkham, although I would have preferred that it came at the expense of some other player because I really like Noppon as well. Sunny is currently ranked 93, and, as it stands is the lowest ranked player already “booked” in round 4, other than Zhao Xintong who competes here as an amateur…
Sunny and his father should be proud of what they achieved. I remember them when Sunny started as a pro: they lived in their car, literally, because they couldn’t afford renting a place to live in, nevermind paying for hotel rooms. Despite this Sunny always came to play neat and properly dressed and he always gave it everything at the table.
In other news Jackson page made a 147 … his first in professional competition:
Page Makes Maiden Maximum
Jackson Page fired in his first ever 147 break during his third round Halo World Championship Qualifying match at the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield.
The Welsh 23-year-old crafted a perfect break in the eighth frame against Allan Taylor to blitz to a 7-1 lead. His previous best break was a run of 142 in last year’s World Championship.
It puts Page in line for a £10,000 bonus on offer for maximum breaks made at Crucible qualifying and places him in pole position for the £15,000 high break prize for the entire event. If Page can conjure another perfect run during the tournament, he will receive an eye watering £147,000.
There have now been 13 maximum breaks this season, which equals the record first set in 16/17 and equalled in 22/23 and 23/24. It is the 215th official 147 in snooker history.
….
Ronnie O'Sullivan 
I’ve followed Jackson Page on and off since his amateur days, and so I was delighted (and lucky) to witness his 147. I’m still terrified by the speed at which he plays, but his 8-1 lead was hugely impressive.
It must have been agony for Lyu Haotian, although his form recently hasn’t been good and he probably expected to lose. Lyu and Zhao Xintong have known each other since they were 10, and as juniors Lyu was by far the better player. Nevertheless people always loved Zhao more. But a lot has happened in the last 12 years.
I bumped into Ross Muir at the hotel, and with his win, it’s virtually guaranteed his tour card is secured. There were 3 late games and one VERY late game (which I didn’t stay for). Ben Woollaston missed a simple blue to win the match, but then Mark Davis missed a tricky black along the cushion. It was shredsville for the last few frames. Sunny Akani was very emotional after beating his close friend.