David Gilbert battled past Yuan SiJun to secure a spot in Winners’ Week of the BetVictor Championship League Snooker – Ranking Edition at the Morningside Arena, Leicester live on Viaplay Xtra in the UK, and broadcasters worldwide including Viaplay in Scandinavia, the Baltics, Poland, and the Netherlands and Table 2 live on Matchroom.Live globally.
SiJun had topped the group after picking up two victories in his first two matches – beating both Sean O’Sullivan and Ishpreet Singh Chadha 3-0. Gilbert trailed in second place, having opened the day with a draw over Singh Chadha, before disposing of O’Sullivan to nil.
The two table leaders collided in the final match of the day on Table 1. Having picked up the opening frame, the Angry Farmer formed a 69-1 lead in the second. Sijun came back to the table and almost stole it – but a missed pink gave the Derbyshire potter the frame.
Holding the advantage coming into the finale, SiJun forced a final-frame decider by taking the third, meaning a point would be enough to send him into the second stage. In the last, Gilbert showed glimpses of his 2021 Invitational victory in Leicester to take the victory and secure a return next week.
Chadha was featuring in his first day as a professional and received the full experience of the snooker experience with a defeat, a draw, and a highlight win over Sean O’Sullivan – the latter failing to win a frame throughout the day.
Cao Yupeng produced a day of dominance, winning all three of his matches to top Group 31. The Chinese star completed the early session with no frames dropped against Steven Hallworth and Ian Burns.
Lyu Haotian sat second in the table, taking 4 points from a draw with Burns and win over Hallworth. Bluey knew that victory over Yupeng in the group decider would take him into next week’s second stage but ultimately fell short at the table.
A monster 145 break in the final frame saw Yupeng record the highest break of the tournament so far. Having taken a first frame of the day from the group victor, Haotian succumbed to a 3-1 defeat and the $2,000 consolation prize. Ian Burns was third in the table, having beaten Hallworth 3-0.
Scottish Open winner Gary Wilson looks to secure his place in the next round on Friday, 14 July as the final qualifying spots will be filled. He faces John Astley, Nutcharut Wongharuthai and Hai Long Ma in Group 9. Meanwhile Ricky Walden, David Lilley, Yisong Peng and Hongyu Liu are in action on Table 2 – live on the Matchroom Muti Sport YouTube channel.
Watch BetVictor Championship League Snooker – Ranking Edition on Viaplay Xtra – FreeView in the UK and Ireland. Those in Scandinavia, the Baltics, Netherlands, and Poland can watch live on Viaplay whilst Matchroom.Live is available to those without a broadcaster. See where to watch here.
The BetVictor Championship League Snooker – Ranking Edition carries a first prize of £33,000 and the winner also securing a spot in the 2023 Champion of Champions set to take place in Bolton from November 13-19 live on ITV
Watch Live at Matchroom.Live
sign up now