Snooker World Open Produces Top 16 Ding Junhui as China’s Sole Hope
China News Service, Yushan, Jiangxi, March 21 (Reporter Wang Zumin) – The 2024 Snooker World Open came to a dramatic end on the evening of the 20th with 32 players advancing to the coveted top 16 round. Despite a strong showing from the Chinese Legion, only Ding Junhui emerged victorious, becoming China’s “only seedling” in the competition.
Out of the 16 Chinese players who made it to the top 64, only 8 managed to advance to the top 32. In a highly anticipated “Chinese Derby” match, Ding Junhui faced off against Cao Yupeng and emerged victorious with a dominating score of 5-1. Ding Junhui’s stellar performance included three century breaks (119, 110, 100), solidifying his position as a top contender in the tournament.
However, the other six Chinese players competing that night faced disappointment as they were all eliminated from the competition. Notably, Lu Haotian put up a fierce fight against Ronnie O’Sullivan, but ultimately fell short with a score of 2-5.
Fan Zhengyi, the 2022 European Masters champion, faced a tough challenge against defending champion Judd Trump and was knocked out with a score of 3-5. Professional newcomers Long Zehuang and He Guoqiang also faced formidable opponents, with Long Zehuang losing to Mark Selby (2-5) and He Guoqiang losing to Daniel Wells (3-5).
Young players Wu Yize and Yuan Sijun also put up a valiant effort but were unable to secure victory, losing to Jackson Page (3-5) and Neil Robertson (2-5) respectively.
As the tournament progresses to the top 16 round, all eyes are on Ding Junhui as he prepares to face off against the world‘s sixth-ranked player, Sean Murphy. With high hopes resting on Ding Junhui’s shoulders, fans eagerly anticipate his performance in the upcoming matches.
In the 2017 Yushan Snooker World Open, Ding Junhui clinched his 13th ranking title, showcasing his prowess on the snooker table. As the sole remaining Chinese player in the tournament, Ding Junhui’s continued success is eagerly awaited by fans and spectators alike.