Three secure Crucible debuts as first eight qualifiers reach World Snooker Championship

The first eight qualifiers have booked their spots at the Crucible after coming through World Snooker Championship qualifying in Sheffield.

The world’s top 16 head straight to the Crucible, but the rest of the professional tour battle it out at the English Institute of Sport to join them.

The qualifiers began back on April 6 and come to a conclusion on Wednesday, with the draw for the first round proper taking place on Thursday morning.

There will be at least three debutants in the Crucible draw after their were wins for young stars Stan Moody, Liam Pullen and Antoni Kowalski.

Moody, 19, becomes the first British teenager since Judd Trump in 2007 to make his Crucible debut and did so thanks to a century in the deciding frame of a 10-9 win over Jiang Jun.

He did so despite visiting hospital on Monday due to tonsilitis and being recommended not to play by the medics.

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The Yorkshire teenager told WST: ‘They said, “We know you’re going to say no, but we want you to stay in.” I said, “No I’ve got a match to play tomorrow.” I’m glad I did it.

‘I’m normally good under pressure but I’ve never felt pressure like it in my life. I’m so happy.’

20-year-old Pullen came from the first round of qualifying, beating Alfie Burden, Amir Sarkhosh and Thepchaiya Un-Nooh before ousting Noppon Saengkham 10-8 on Judgement Day.

‘I’m very proud, to be fair,’ said the York talent. ‘But I’m still in the same tournament, I’m going to go to the Crucible and try my best.’

Poland’s Antoni Kowalski became the first player from his country to secure a Crucible debut thanks to a 10-8 win over Jamie Jones.

The victory also kept his place on the professional tour thanks to his improved place in the rankings, making it a sensational evening for the 22-year-old.

A tearful Kowalski said: ‘The best explanation will be that I never cry, that’s the perfect explanation of how much this means to me. I’m over the moon.’

The first qualifier to get his name in the hat on Tuesday night was Hossein Vafaei, who beat one of his practice partners, Gao Yang.

The Prince of Persia will play at the Crucible for the fifth season on the spin, but knows he will have to improve his performance against a seed.

‘It wasn’t a great match,’ Vafaei told WST. ‘My opponent is young, hungry, great future. He’s my practice partner in the academy, he’s such a great talent. We both didn’t play that well. The experience won. Unlucky to Gao Yang.’

The only Iranian ever to play at the Crucible, clearly he has a lot on his mind with the ongoing conflict in his home country.

‘I’m fighting as well for my country, for my family and I try my best,’ he said. ‘Everything that happens, happens. I’m going to give it my all.’

China’s Zhou Yuelong was next to reach the Crucible thanks to a 10-4 victory over Michael Holt, booking a fourth trip to the iconic theatre.

The 28-year-old has been to four ranking finals, the latest at this season’s English Open, but is yet to get his hands on silverware.

Then came experienced campaigners Matthew Stevens and Dave Gilbert, who downed Stuart Bingham and Aaron Hill respectively.

China’s Pang Junxu has booked a fourth straight trip to the Crucible thanks to a 10-8 victory over Jackson Page, knocking in three centuries along the way.

The next eight qualifiers will be decided on Wednesday.

Jak Jones vs Luca Brecel
Lei Peifan vs Ryan Day
Xu Si vs Gary Wilson
Zak Surety vs Zhang Anda
Ali Carter vs Anthony McGill
Liam Highfield vs Oliver Lines
Fan Zhengyi vs Ben Mertens
He Guoqiang vs Jack Lisowski

More to follow…

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