The qualifiers for the 2025 Scottish Open started yesterday with round one matches. The round two involving those who went through yesterday will be played today. Finally WST figured out something more practical for the players… Anyway, here is the report on yesterday’s action as shared by WST:

BetVictor Scottish Open Qualifiers Day One

Belgium’s Julien Leclercq produced a stunning display to brush aside Germany’s Umut Dikme 4-0 and progress in BetVictor Scottish Open qualifying.

Victory sets up a fascinating clash with compatriot Ben Mertens on Wednesday for a place in the final stages.

Leclercq is yet to make it beyond the second round of any event this season, but showcased his considerable talent this afternoon. Breaks of 104, 122, 74 and 68 helped him to coast to the whitewash in just 59 minutes. 

Liam Highfield top scored with 131 during a 4-0 demolition of Polish 14-year-old Michal Szubarczyk. Englishman Highfield also crafted further contributions of 56, 50 and 52. He now faces Ben Woollaston for a spot in the final stages. 

Sam Craigie continued his return after a year out through injury with a 4-1 win over Florian Nuessle. Craigie top scored with 136 and now faces Jamie Jones. 

Ukraine’s Iulian Boiko made breaks of 67, 75 and 73 in a 4-1 win over the legendary Jimmy White. Next up he plays Robert Milkins. 

Haydon Pinhey scored a 4-0 win over women’s world number one Mink Nutcharut, while Jiang Jun defeated 12-time Women’s World Champion Reanne Evans 4-0.

All the detailed results are available on snooker.org.

I was very pleased to see Julien play that well. He’s had a long lean spell … It’s a shame that he has to face Ben Mertens today.

Iulian Boiko played well but Jimmy was very poor. It was painful to watch. Still, I’m not one of those who will say that he should retire because he’s only a shadow of the player he was. He has brought a lot to the fans and the game, so, as long as he owns a tour card and wishes to play, he should carry on. He deserves that much.

Looking t the qualifiers draw, it seems that three of the top 32 didn’t enter the event. Ronnie is probably one of them.