Here is WST account on what happened yesterday in Leicester, with group 5 and group 16 in action. all the detailed results are available on snooker.org, just follow the links.
Wakelin Clinches Top Spot
World number 16 Chris Wakelin booked his place in the second stage of the BetVictor Championship League ranking event by topping Group 5, while former Scottish Open and World Open finalist Joe O’Connor prevailed in Group 16 on home turf in Leicester.
Wakelin ended last season on a high by making the quarter-finals of the World Championship, but endured a rocky start to his current campaign after losing 5-3 against Marco Fu in Wuhan Open qualifying. He opened today with a 136 during a 3-1 win over Daniel Womersley, followed by a 3-0 win against Mitchell Mann. Wakelin moved 2-0 up on Belgium’s Julien Leclercq and despite slipping to a 2-2 draw, it was enough to see him through.
O’Connor enjoyed a near flawless day, scoring 3-0 wins against Liam Pullen and Zak Surety and a 3-1 defeat of Andrew Pagett, where he top scored with 116.
I watched Group 5. Julien Leclercq is a very heavy scorer, yesterday he made a break over 50 in every frame he won bar one1. He’s very entertaining to watch but to progress on tour he needs to cut out silly mistakes and improve in the safety department, and, maybe, slightly rein his attacking instincts. Only slightly. It would be a shame if he turned into a grinder … not that Julien’s “grinderisation” appears as likely prospect đ
Thailand’s Thepchaiya Un-Nooh whitewashed Martin O’Donnell in the final game of Group 31 to make the second stage of the BetVictor Championship League ranking event in Leicester.
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Former Shoot Out champion Un-Nooh came into the crunch clash knowing he needed to win, while just a draw would see O’Donnell progress. In typical style, Un-Nooh averaged just 16 seconds a shot in a 3-0 win where he fired in breaks of 74, 76 and 98. Earlier in the day, Un-Nooh drew 2-2 with Gao Yang and defeated 12-time Women’s World Champion Reanne Evans 3-0.
The action in Group 24 saw Chinese rookie Liu Wenwei prevail to earn his place in the second stage. He opened up with a 3-0 win over Jordan Brown, before beating Jackson Page 3-1 and drawing 2-2 against Zachary Richardson, where he came from 2-0 down to earn top spot.
Liu Wenwei impressed me. Group 24 was certainly not an easy one on paper with Jordan Brown and Jackson Page in the field. But Liu was unfazed. He beat them both. He ended up, undefeated, as the winner of the group. Zak Richardson, playing as an amateur, replaced Jimmy White who withdrew. He, as well, finished the day undefeated but also winless … he managed three draws in three matches!
China’s 21-year-old Liu Hongyu was the stand-out player in Group 21 of the BetVictor Championship League in Leicester as he booked a place in the second stage.
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Liu and Tom Ford are through to the last 32 of the season’s first ranking event and will return to the Mattioli Arena later this month.
After beating Ian Burns 3-0 in his opening match with breaks of 89, 55 and 104, Liu saw off Patrick Whelan 3-1 with a top run of 133. In his last match of the day he fired breaks of 93 and 89 in a 2-2 draw with Noppon Saengkham as he comfortably finished top of the table.
Group 8 was far closer and came down to the last few frames. Shoot Out champion Ford drew 2-2 with Simon Blackwell then beat Mink Nutcharut 3-0 with a top break of 132. He needed to avoid defeat in his last fixture against Allan Taylor and managed a 2-2 draw which left him level on points with Blackwell but just ahead on frame difference.
Artemijs Zizins beat three players, including world number 15 Si Jiahui, to top Group 4 at the BetVictor Championship League and reach the last 32 of a ranking event for the first time.
Latvia’s 19-year-old Zizins, who turned pro in 2024, was in superb form throughout the day in Leicester, winning nine frames and conceding just one. He’s through to the second phase which starts on July 18th.
A break of 92 helped Zizins beat Farakh Ajaib 3-1 and he then then saw off Kayden Brierley 3-0. Si could still have snatched the group by winning his last match, but he was no match for Zizins who strolled to a 3-0 success with top runs of 75 and 74.
Robbie Williams topped Group 30 thanks to a fine late win over Ben Woollaston. Williams top scored with 110 in a 3-0 defeat of Florian Nuessle then drew 2-2 with Iulian Boiko. Woollaston was in the driving seat having won his first two matches, but Williams came from 1-0 down to beat him 3-1 with breaks of 72, 60 and 53.
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I almost exclusively watched Artemijs Zizins yesterday and I was well impressed by how much he has progressed over the last year.
The day before was disappointing for me: Mink showed no form at all but then maybe she had just returned from Thailand and was still tired from the travel and jet lagged? I do perfectly understand why those players from Asia, who spend most of the year away from their families and friend, would want to make the most of the summer break and stay with their loved ones for as long as possible.
David Gilbert won a Group 12 deciding showdown with Duane Jones 3-1 to progress to the next phase of the BetVictor Championship League ranking event in Leicester, while Scottish Open champion Lei Peifan topped Group 19.
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Former Championship League winner Gilbert swept to three wins out of three to edge out Welshman Jones. Gilbert opened with a 3-0 win over Paul Deaville, top scoring with 129. He then beat Louis Heathcote 3-1 with runs of 105, 139 and 77 to set up a decisive meeting with Jones.
Meanwhile, Jones prevailed 3-1 against Heathcote and 3-0 against Deaville to match Gilbert’s results. With Gilbert leading 2-1 in the last game of the day, he fired in an 82 to win 3-1, move clear of Jones and top the group.
Lei beat Mateusz Baranowski 3-0 and Ryan Davies 3-1 to put himself in pole position to progress. He knew just a draw with Chinese compatriot Long Zehuang would see him through. Despite trailing 2-0, breaks of 120 and 54 saw him end the match level at 2-2.
I have nothing to add really. The best players won their group. Both groups went pretty much “on seeding”. The “exception” was professional Mateusz Baranowski who finished last, behind Ryan Davies, an amateur, despite actually beating Ryan in the match they played.
Paul Deaville was considered an interesting prospect a couple of years ago but has done very little in recent times. Of course, we do not know where his priorities are, nor do we know how much time he actually can or wants to devote to snooker. Let’s not forget that those guys have a life away from the green baize, and that most amateurs have a job and/or pursue further education.
This is the report by WST on what happened yesterday at the 2025 ranking CLS played in Leicester:
Bingham And Slessor Dominate Groups
Stuart Bingham and Elliot Slessor both reeled off three wins out of three to reach the second phase of the BetVictor Championship League.
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They will be among the 32 round one group winners in stage two which starts on July 18th in Leicester.
Former World Champion Bingham started Group 11 with a 3-0 win over Halim Hussain, making breaks of 83 and 102. He went on to beat Hatem Yassen 3-0 with top runs of 85 and 84, and finished the day with a 3-1 success against Antoni Kowalski, who finished second in the group having won his first two matches.
Slessor opened Group 17 with a 3-1 defeat of Mark Lloyd with a top break of 95. He then saw off Oliver Brown 3-0 and wrapped up the day with a 3-1 victory over Stan Moody, highlighted by a run of 113.
Play resumes on Monday with defending champion Ali Carter and Gary Wilson among those in action.
I have to confess that I couldn’t muster much interest for the snooker on offer yesterday, especially with Wimbledon and the Tour de France1 in progress as well. The only player I wanted to watch yesterday is Antoni Kowalski who did rather well, which pleased me.
Marco Fu has been named as the inaugural WPBSA Playersâ Player of the Month by his fellow players following the launch of the new monthly award this season.
Launched by WPBSA Players, the Playersâ Player of the Month award recognises outstanding performance, as voted by fellow players. Its key aim is to honour excellence, consistency, and impact on the table, as recognised by those who understand the demands of the game best.
Each month throughout the 2025/26 season a shortlist will be compiled by an independent panel. The panel includes renowned snooker broadcasters David Hendon and Abigail Davies, sports journalist Phil Haigh and WPBSA Players Director Tian Pengfei.
Fab Fu Honoured for June
Hong Kong Chinaâs Marco Fu was selected as the inaugural Playersâ Player of the Month following his successful double qualification for the final stages of the both the Wuhan and British Open tournaments which included five century breaks in the 15-frames he played across the two events.
Having received a new two-year invitational tour card at the start of the season, Fuâs first win came against world number 16 Chris Wakelin as he hit top breaks of 136, 120, 113 and 68 to book his place in Wuhan.
A repeat looked unlikely in his subsequent British Open qualifier against Stephen Maguire as he trailed 0-3, before the three-time world ranking event winner rebounded with runs of 140, 81, 104 and 54 to complete an impressive comeback and seal his place at the venue stages.
The 47-year-old won the honour, receiving 62% of the vote, ahead of Englandâs Reanne Evans and Louis Heathcote, who also won both of their qualification matches.
Players including David Grace, Stan Moody, Fergal Quinn and Bai Yulu were also considered for the final shortlist.
Fu said, âTo be chosen as the first ever WPBSA Players Player of the Month for my performances at the qualifiers in June is a pleasant surprise indeed. The performances were a bit of a surprise too!
âTo be recognised by my peers for these performances, is a real bonus to add to a solid start to the new seasonâ.
Ken Doherty, WPBSA Players Chairman said: âCongratulations to Marco Fu on a great start to the season. Incredible performances in his opening two matches. He is, as voted by his fellow professionals, our first ever WPBSA Players Player of the Month!â
I’m not sure how long this initiative will “live” nor that it adds much to the sport, but, anyway…
Congratulations Marco Fu.
Belgium, as you may know is a country where cycling is BIG! âŠī¸
Matthew Selt scored three straight wins to comfortably top Group 22 at the BetVictor Championship League ranking event, while Alfie Burden edged through by winning Group 3 on frame difference.
Selt and Burden advance to the second phase, which starts on July 18th. That will see 32 players vying for spots in the third and final stage.
Former Indian Open champion Selt opened his account with an electric 3-1 win over Germany’s Umut Dikme, who is competing as a top up after losing the final round of Q School Event One. Selt hammered home breaks of 119, 92 and 100, as he charged over the line.
Breaks of 67 and 91 helped him to beat tour rookie and Q School graduate Fergal Quinn 3-1, while Selt top scored with 57 in a 3-1 defeat of Scott Donaldson. A 3-0 win for Dikme over Quinn in the final game gave him the consolation of second place in the group.
World Seniors Champion Burden fell off tour at the end of last season, but competing as a top up, enjoyed an excellent day in Leicester to progress. A 3-1 win over Masters Champion Shaun Murphy, followed by a 3-0 defeat of Bulcsu Revesz allowed him to finish top. He pipped Revesz and Robbie McGuigan, who he did lose 3-1 against, on frame difference. …
There was frankly nothing much enthralling to watch yesterday, or maybe, it was me not being in the mood.
Group 3 was really bizarre. Shaun Murphy was terrible and there wasn’t much at all to separate the other three. Each of them won two matches. All matches finished on a 3-1 score except one – Alfie beat Bulcsu by 3-0 – and, basically, that particular result eventually “shaped” the group.
I saw next to nothing of the other group … as those who read this blog regularly will know already, I’m not exactly Matt Selt’s biggest fan đ
Mahmoud El Hareedy Earns Professional Status with All-Africa Title
Mahmoud El Hareedy defeated Yassine Bellamine 6-1 in the final of the 2025 All-Africa Snooker Championship in Saïdia, Morocco to earn a two-year World Snooker Tour (WST) tour card.
The Egyptian cueist came through a field of 50 players from across the continent to win the prestigious title and secure professional status for the first time in his career.
Organised by the African Billiards & Snooker Confederation (ABSC), the event was staged at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Saïdia, Morroco and featured Seniors, Womenâs and Six-Red events in addition to the main competition which offered a two-year WST tour card to the winner.
El Hareedy, who has previously competed on the WPBSA Q Tour Middle East series and also faced former world champion Stuart Bingham at the 2023 Six-Red World Championship, comfortably topped his initial five-player group to reach the knockout stages as the top seed.
Victories over Mohamed Amin (4-0) and Mohamed Ibrahim (4-1) saw El Hareedy set up a quarter-final meeting with Mutalieb Allie, to whom he had been defeated in the final of the All-Africa Six-Red Championship earlier in the week.
The Egyptian exacted his revenge at the perfect time, however, earning a 5-1 win before overcoming Matour Reda 6-2 to reach the title match in Saïdia.
There he faced Moroccoâs Bellamine, who had defeated former professional Mostafa Dorgham 6-1 in the last four to reach the final in his home nation as he also aimed to join the WST for the first time.
El Hareedy was the dominant player in the best-of-11 frame final as he raced into a 4-0 lead and ultimately ran out a 6-1 victor to earn the prestigious continental crown.
Seniors Glory for Mohamed Samy Elkhayat
Mohamed Samy Elkhayat overcame Mohamed Alaa Khairy 5-4 in the final of the 2025 All-Africa Seniors Championship.
Elkhayat, from Egypt, came through a field of 22 players from Africa to win the Seniors crown.
The Egyptian qualified for the knockout stages by finishing second place in a group that also featured the Moroccan duo of Said Machal and Idriss El Mokri as well as Mahomed Idrisse from Mozambique.
A deciding frame victory over Rabi Younes followed in the last 16 before more comfortable success against Ahmed Galal (4-0) and newly-crowned All-Africa Six-Red champion Allie Mutalieb (4-1) saw Elkhayat book his place in the final.
Former professional Khairy, who lost in the final of the main competition 12 months ago, was the opponent in the title match after he had beaten Mahjoub Tawdi in the semi-finals.
The final was a hard-fought contest that came down to a deciding frame but, ultimately, it was Elkhayat who was able to get over the line to earn the title.
Yousra Matine Wins Womenâs Championship
Yousra Matine defeated Loubna Lazim 4-3 to win the 2025 All-Africa Womenâs Championship on home soil in Saïdia, Morocco.
Matine, who is a former gold medalist at the 2019 African Games, won all of the seven matches she contested in her home country to secure the prestigious continental crown.
After topping her group with a clean sweep of victories, she then downed Saloua Tiane (3-0) and Hind Bennani (3-1) to reach the final where she faced compatriot Lazim.
The match between the two Moroccan cueists went right down to the wire but it was Matine who was able to win the vital seventh and deciding frame to secure the title.
Six-Red Success for Mutalieb Allie
Mutalieb Allie beat Mahmoud El Hareedy 6-4 to claim the 2025 All-Africa Six-Red Championship title in Morocco.
A total of 48 players contested the event and Allie topped his group before overcoming Rabie Chami (4-2), Arjun Lavingia (5-4), Yassine Bellamine (5-0) and Hesham Abdelaziz (6-2) to reach the title match in Saïdia.
El Hareedy, who would be crowned the All-Africa Snooker Championship winner later in the week, was his opponent in the final after he had downed Mina Awad 6-3 at the semi-final stage.
South African national champion Allie proved to be the stronger player at the vital stage as he ran out a 6-4 victor in the final to lift the trophy.
Stephen Hendry was asked about his snooker “Top Five” and here is his answer, as shared by WST:
Hendry Names All-Time Top Five
Stephen Hendry names his all-time top five players in the latest episode of Snooker Club podcast. Download the episode NOW on Apple, Spotify, Linktree or wherever you get your podcasts.
Seven-time World Champion Hendry was asked to pick his top five. He said: “I’ll put Ronnie O’Sullivan top, obviously because of the success he has had, but also for his cue ball control which is the best I’ve ever seen.Â
“He is an artist with the cue ball, I love watching him making breaks, maybe when the black and pink are out of commission and there are balls on cushions, when he is at his best he still finds a way to clear the table. Also his safety game – he never plays a safety shot plain ball, he is always using side to manipulate the cue ball. And under pressure, his bottle is unquestionable.Â
“After that, it’s very close between Mark Williams and John Higgins, I’d prefer to have them joint second. I’ll go with Mark just because of his recent record against John at the Crucible. He is a freak of nature, he has the best temperament of any sportsman I have seen. He maybe hasn’t got the cue power of others, but he has great touch and he is just a brilliant potter.Â
“Third is John – maybe the greatest match player of all time. If I had to pick a player to clear up from 50 behind with five reds left, I’d take John. He has made over 1,000 centuries and his scoring is phenomenal.
“Mark Selby is fourth, he is one of all time greats. In terms of ball striking, not many are above him, the work he gets on the cue ball. He has the tactical game and he can win when not as best. I hated playing him, he’s so tough.Â
“In fifth could be Judd Trump because of what he has won and his centuries, but he only has one world title. So I’m going for Steve Davis based on his utter domination of the 1980s. People will say that the players weren’t as good back then, but I don’t care. He’d still be in the top 16 today. He was the ultimate winning machine and I learned a lot from him.”Â
Judd will not be happy. He will say that he treats every event with the same respect and all credits to him for doing that but the World Championship with its longer format remains the benchmark by which a player is judged by someone like Hendry and one can’t argue with the fact that it poses a unique challenge.
Ronnie O'Sullivan 