Stuart Bingham enjoyed an unbeaten day in Leicester to seal Group 1, and in turn a spot in March’s Winners’ Group after a 3-0 final victory over Gary Wilson at the 2024 BetVictor Championship League Invitational at the Morningside Arena in Leicester, live on Matchroom.Live in the UK and Ireland, DAZN in the United States, Viaplay in Scandinavia and the Baltics as well as other broadcasters worldwide.
‘Ball-run’ Bingham came into Wednesday in desperate need of points to reach the play-offs, having only managed the one win in yesterday’s opening sessions – which also came in a 3-2 win over Wilson. He immediately hit the ground running with victories over Robert Milkins and Chris Wakelin to claw himself up the table.
Victory over Noppon Saengkham in Table Two’s final league fixture – live exclusively on Matchroom MultiSport’s YouTube channel – helped Bingham rise into 3rd place in group, setting up a semi-final clash with one of the Groups’ form players in Kyren Wilson.
‘The Warrior’ had looked strong across both day’s, losing just once in his six group matches at the hands of Ryan Day. ‘Dynamite’ Day had topped the group having also won five matches, but through more frames won. Having been on the end of a whitewash 3-0 defeat to Kettering-born Wilson yesterday, Bingham turned the result on it’s head with a dominant 3-0 semi-final display to reach the final with Gary Wilson.
The Tyneside Terror’s run of success throughout the day set-up his place in the final after defeating Day, but his good form ran out in the final as two frames were snatched from under him after two killer clearances from Bingham saw him wrap up a 3-0 victory.
“The last gasp win against Gary (Wilson) to win 3-2 in the last game yesterday, I knew I hitting the ball well in practice,” said Bingham. “I didn’t practice loads over Christmas but enough that I felt I was coming here with a bit of form. I think that win yesterday proved I was hitting it well and I’ve won every game today so I’m over the moon.
“I felt really good in the balls and I’m feeling really calm at one pace around the table. A couple times I missed the ball today when I tried to quicken up and get on with it, and then missed it! Trying to stay calm did the trick today!”
Bingham’s victory sealed the first spot in Winners’ Group, which will see each winner from Groups 1-7 return on March 1st-2nd in an effort to become champion of the BetVictor Championship League Snooker Invitational final.
Gary Wilson, Kyren Wilson, Ryan Day and Chris Wakelin will each join Mark Selby, Ali Carter and Chris Wakelin back here at the Morningside Arena tomorrow as Group 2’s action begins.
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