 Most of snooker's top stars will be heading to China for the inaugural Wuhan Open this year, but some big names have fallen at the first hurdle before the main stages. The event has been added to the calendar this season as international events return to China after the height of the pandemic, with the main stages played in Wuhan from 9-15 October. Eight matches have been held over to Wuhan, with Ronnie O'Sullivan, Luca Brecel, Ding Junhui, Zhou Yuelong, David Gilbert, Ali Carter, Anthony Hamilton and Si Jiahui seeing their first round matches delayed to be played in front of the Chinese crowd. Notable names that will not be joining them in China include Shaun Murphy, Kyren Wilson, Gary Wilson and Anthony McGill, who all lost in the qualifiers in Leicester this week. Murphy was downed 5-2 by impressive Belgian teenager Ben Mertens, McGill was edged out 5-4 by Indian professional Ishpreet Singh, Kyren Wilson lost 5-4 to He Guoqiang and Gary Wilson was beaten 5-3 by Ashley Carty. Irish youngster Aaron Hill also stunned Joe Perry 5-0, Ian Burns sprung something of a surprise by ousting Ricky Walden 5-3, while Hossein Vafaei lost out in a deciding frame to Marco Fu, with the Hong Kong legend progressing with a 5-4 win. There was better news for other big names, though, with the likes of John Higgins, Mark Williams, Neil Robertson, Judd Trump and Mark Selby all progressing without too much drama. In one of the notable events of qualifying, Robertson made the 900th century of his superb career during a 5-0 win over fellow Australian Ryan Thomerson. Barry Hawkins also continued his fine early-season form after winning the European Masters last month, beating Louis Heathcote 5-1 in a dominant display. The brand new tournament, hosted at the Wuhan Sports Center is a significant addition to the World Snooker Tour calendar, with the winner picking up £140,000 in prize money. First round winners claim £4,500, while Aar){kind=link}
NEWS… BUT NOT AS YOU KNOW IT
Most of snooker’s top stars will be heading to China for the inaugural Wuhan Open this year, but some big names have fallen at the first hurdle before the main stages.
The event has been added to the calendar this season as international events return to China after the height of the pandemic, with the main stages played in Wuhan from 9-15 October.
Eight matches have been held over to Wuhan, with Ronnie O’Sullivan, Luca Brecel, Ding Junhui, Zhou Yuelong, David Gilbert, Ali Carter, Anthony Hamilton and Si Jiahui seeing their first round matches delayed to be played in front of the Chinese crowd.
Notable names that will not be joining them in China include Shaun Murphy, Kyren Wilson, Gary Wilson and Anthony McGill, who all lost in the qualifiers in Leicester this week.