It has all come down to this – the 2016 China Open is now underway in Beijing, following which the world’s top 16 players will be guaranteed to appear at the Crucible stages of next month’s World Championship.
For a summary of how the position stood prior to the Monday’s action, please read my comprehensive blog at WPBSA.com, or continue reading below for the very latest position as the week progresses:
Mark Selby made it third time lucky in Beijing today, thrashing surprise finalist Gary Wilson 10-2 to win the China Open final at his third attempt, having finished as runner-up in both 2011 and 2013.
Click below for a round-up of the final event prior to the season-ending World Championship…
Ronnie O’Sullivan has pulled out of next week’s China Open world ranking event for health reasons.
O’Sullivan was due to meet either Robin Hull or Yan Bingtao in his opening match in Beijing on the evening of Tuesday March 31, so the winner of that match will receive a bye to the last 32.
The China Open runs from March 30 to April 5.
As the snooker circuit moves on to Blackpool this week for the World Seniors Championship and Shoot Out events, World Snooker have also published the draws and formats for the final stages of both the upcoming Indian Open and China Open tournaments.
Following today’s revision to the seedings list, World Snooker have now published the draws for both the India Open and China Open tournaments, with the qualifiers set to be held between Thursday and Sunday this week at the Barnsley Metrodome.
You can view the links to the draws and formats here at World Snooker, or alternatively for both India and China at the ever-excellent snookerorg.
When it was first announced that World Snooker would move away from the traditional tiered format of events a couple of years ago, the concern amongst some was that it could lead to a situation where big names might crash out of tournaments at the qualifying stages, resulting in venues and broadcasters being left without their big names.
A historic day today for Ding Junhui, who has defeated Neil Robertson 10-5 to win the China Open for a second time, in the process claiming a record-equalling fifth ranking event title of the season.
Click below for a few thoughts on the event as a whole…
With just two tournaments still to be played this season and both the European and Asian Orders of Merit now set, the battle for main tour places next season is now down to the two final events, the China Open and World Championship.
Click below then for an updated look at the current position and in particular those in need of victories further down the rankings if they are to avoid a trip to Q School in May…