Latest news with #LeiPeifan
The Sun
16-05-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Kyren Wilson ready to follow Ronnie O'Sullivan's lead in bid to regain World Snooker Championship crown
KYREN Wilson has pledged to be more like Ronnie O'Sullivan in a bid to improve his performances. The decision came after his opening round exit at the World Snooker Championship at the hands of debutant Lei Peifan this year. 2 2 O'Sullivan voiced concerns on punditry duties that the 33-year-old defending champion might have spread himself too thin over a hectic snooker schedule. A receptive Wilson said to Metro: "I think definitely I'll take a leaf out of his book. "I think you want to stay hungry. You want to keep enjoying it. "And I think if you slog it out and you go tournament, tournament, tournament, tournament, it almost becomes too repetitive to the point where you stop enjoying it." The star did not feel impaired going into the tournament and was taken by surprise at his opponent. He said: "'It was definitely a unique feeling because that's probably the most confident I've ever gone into a World Championship. "I really, really fancied winning it. [Lei] played some really inspired snooker and just hit the ground running in the evening session. "So yeah, no complaints really." Wilson fell victim to snooker's infamous Crucible curse. The curse refers to the inability of a first-time winner to retain their title since 1977 when the tournament moved to Sheffield's Crucible Theatre. Reflecting on what was the biggest shock of the tournament with seven-time winner O'Sullivan could change Wilson's form. But it is unlikely to go down well with the fans who will want to see more matchups of the greats not fewer.
Scotsman
16-05-2025
- Sport
- Scotsman
Scottish Open Snooker 2025 Tickets: Here's how to see the biggest stars take to the baize in Edinburgh
The stars of the sport are heading to Edinburgh - an early Christmas present for Scottish snooker fans. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Formerly known by a number of other names - including the International Open, Matchroom Trophy and Players Championship - the Scottish Open snooker competition dates back to 1981. China's Lei Peifan is the defending champion at this year's Scottish Open. | Getty Images It became the Scottish Open in 1998 when it was held at the Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre, moving to Edinburgh's Royal Highland Centre in 2004. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Since then it's been held at a number of venues, including the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre in Glasgow, the Ravenscraig Regional Sports Facility, and back to Glasgow in the Commonwealth Arena and Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome. Champions over the years have included Ronnie O'Sullivan, Stephen Hendry, Marco Fu, Peter Ebdon, Jimmy White and Mark Selby. The defending champion is Lei Peifan who beat compatriot Wu Yize 9-5 in the final. This year it's returning to Scotland's Capital, where it has been played since 2022. Here's everything you need to know - including how to go. When does the Scottish Open snooker take place in 2025? The tournament starts on Monday, December 15, with the final being played on Sunday, December 21. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Where is the 2025 Scottish Open snooker being played? The tournament is held at Edinburgh's Meadowbank Sports Centre. Who plays in the Scottish Open Snooker? A total of 64 players compete in the main draw of the tournament - 32 qualifiers and the top 32 players in the world. That means you're likely to see local hero John Higgins, new world champion Zhao Xintong, world number one Judd Trump, and a host of other stars like Mark Williams and Kyren Wilson. Can I get tickets to see the snooker in Edinburgh? Tickets are still available for for all days, starting at just £18.15 for a single session, here. You have the option of playing for a single evening session, or just the evening session. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The most expensive ticket price is for the evening of the final, which costs £44. Can I watch the Scottish Open on television? Don't worry if you can't make it to Edinburgh, you can catch all the action on television. It will be broadcast on Eurosport which is available for free to Sky and Virgin Media customers. Amazon Prime Video subscribers can add it via Discovery Plus for £6.99 a month. Those without an existing television subscription service can watch Eurosport direct on Discovery Plus - sign up on their website for £3.99 per month for the first six months. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad What is the format? It's a straight knock-out tournament, with matches being the best of seven frames (first to four) until the quarter-finals which are best of nine (first to five). The semi-finals are then the best of 11 frames (first to six) and the final the best of the last 64 being the best of 17 (first to 9) over two sessions of play. What is the prize money at the Scottish Open snooker 2025? There is a total of £550,000 will be up for grabs, with the winner getting £100,000, the runner-up: £45,000, the semi-finalists £21,000, quarter-finalists £13,200. Even getting to the last 16 will win you £9,000, last 32 £5,400 and last 64 £3,600. The player with the highest break gets a bonus of £5,000.
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Scotsman
27-04-2025
- Sport
- Scotsman
Snooker World Championship 2025 Sunday Matches: Who is playing today, who's through, prize money, odds - Ronnie O'Sullivan match
It's day eight at the Crucible Theatre and we're edging closer to the quarter final stages. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The 2025 Halo World Snooker Championship - the 49th consecutive year the event has been held at Sheffield's Crucible Theatre - is now well underway. Crowd favourite Ronnie O'Sullivan is back on the baize today for the continuation of his second round match. | Getty Images First held in 1927, it is the longest-running and most prestigious tournament in professional snooker, with a prize fund of £2,395,000, of which the winner will receive £500,000. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Last year saw Kyren Wilson defeat Jak Jones 18–14 in the final. Wilson returned to defend his title but fell at the first hurdle, being knocked out in the first round by Lei Peifan. Monday saw Scotland's John Higgins get off to a winning start, grinding out a 10-7 first round win over Joe O'Connor. And Wednesday saw Ronnie O'Sullivan blow Ali Carter off the table, winning four frames without reply in their afternoon session to triumph 10-4. On Thursday Mark Selby became the latest seed to fall, following a nail-biting 10-8 marathon against Ben Woollaston that finished after midnight and completed the first round in suitable style. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Friday saw Mark Allen make a memorable 147 - despite losing to Chris Wakelin. And yesterday saw John Higgins dramatically win again against Xiao Guodong in a nail-biting final frame decider to progress to the last eight. He'll play old rival Mark Williams in the next round. Here's everything you need to know about today's play - with yet more drama guaranteed. Who is playing at the World Snooker Championship today? Here's what action is taking place today, on Sunday, April 27. All are second round matches. 10am Lei Peifan 6-10 Zhao Xintong Shaun Murphy (15) v Judd Trump (2) 2.30pm Ronnie O'Sullivan (5) 6-2 Pang Junxu Luca Brecel (7) 7-1 Ding Junhui (10) 7pm Si Jiahui (13) 5-3 Ben Woollaston Shaun Murphy (15) v Judd Trump (2) Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad When is Ronnie O'Sullivan playing next at the World Snooker Championship? Ronnie O'Sullivan's will resume his second round match against Pang Junxu gets at 2.30pm today. The Rocket leads 6-2. What are the results so far? Here are the results in full: First Round Kyren Wilson (1) 9-10 Lei Peifan Xiao Guodong (14) 10-4 Matthew Selt Mark Williams (6) 10-8 Wu Yize Barry Hawkins (11) 9-10 Hossein Vafaei Neil Robertson (9) 8-10 Chris Wakelin Jak Jones (16) 4-10 Zhao Xintong Mark Allen (8) 10-6 Fan Zhengyi John Higgins (3) 10-7 Joe O'Connor Ding Junhui (10) 10-7 Zak Surety Si Jiahui (13) 10-6 David Gilbert Shaun Murphy (15) 10-4 Daniel Well Zhang Anda 7-10 Pang Junxu Ronnie O'Sullivan (5) 10-4 Ali Carter Judd Trump (2) 10-4 Zhou Yuelong Luca Brecel (7) 10-7 Ryan Day Mark Selby (4) 8-10 Ben Woollaston Second round Mark Allen (8) 6-13 Chris Wakelin Mark Williams (6) 13-10 Hossein Vafaei John Higgins (3) 13-12 Xiao Guodong What is the second round draw at the World Snooker Championship? Here are all the second round ties: Lei Peifan vs Zhao Xintong Chris Wakelin vs Mark Allen (8) Ronnie O'Sullivan (5) vs Pang Junxu Si Jiahui (13) vs Ben Woollaston John Higgins (3) vs Xiao Guodong (14) Hossein Vafaei vs Mark Williams (6) Luca Brecel (7) vs Ding Junhui (10) Shaun Murphy (15) vs Judd Trump (2) Can I watch the Snooker World Championship on television? The BBC will once again be broadcasting live coverage across BBC1, BBC2, the Red Button and the iPlayer. There will also be highlights programmes every evening to catch up on the day's action. What is the format of the Snooker World Championships? All first-round matches are the best of 19 frames (first to 10 frames) played over two session. Second-round matches and the quarter-finals are the best of 25 frames (first to 13 frames), played over three sessions. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The semi-finals are the best of 33 frames (first to 17 frames) played over four sessions. The final is the best of 35 frames (first to 18 frames) played over four sessions. Who has won the most World Snooker Championships? Stephen Hendry and Ronnie O'Sullivan jointly hold the record for the most world titles in the modern era, having won the tournament seven times each. Hendry is also the youngest ever winner, having been only 21 when he claimed his first title in 1990. Ray Reardon and Steve Davis have each won six titles, while John Higgins and Mark Selby have won four, with John Spencer and Mark Williams having claimed three. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad So, if Ronnie O'Sullivan wins another tournament he'll pull ahead of Stephen Hendry for the record of most titles. How many 147s have there been at the World Snooker Championship? Prior to this year there had only ever been 15 maximum breaks in the history of the competition, with Ronnie O'Sullivan and Stephen Hendry recording three each. The other players to have achieved the ultimate snooker feat are John Higgins, Ali Carter, Mark Williams, Jimmy White, Cliff Thorburn and Neil Robertson, Kyren Wilson and Mark Selby. Mark Allen then joined that select group this year. What's the prize money at the World Snooker Championship? A total of £2.395 million in money is up for grabs at the World Snooker Championship, with the winner handed a cheque for a hefty £500,000. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The runner-up gets a consolation cheque for £200,000, the semi-finalists £100,000, quarter-finalists £30,000, second round players £30,000, and even those who fail to win a match are handed £20,000. In addition, there's a bonus £40,000 up for grabs for a maximum 147 break, and a further £15,000 for the highest break in the tournament. What trophy is presented at the World Snooker Championships? The iconic World Championship trophy dates back to 1926 when it was bought by pioneering player Joe David for just £19. It's made of silver, weighs 46.5 troy ounces, and is topped by the figure of a Greek shepherdess - not a snooker player, as some people presume.
The Sun
26-04-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
World Snooker Championship 2025 LIVE RESULTS: Ronnie O'Sullivan LEADS Pang Junxu, Williams THROUGH
THE World Snooker Championship is rolling on at pace at the Crucible - with the sport's biggest names back in action. John Higgins is currently locked in a tense battle with Xiao Guodong as the pair will return in the evening to finish their tight-edge tie. While Ronnie O'Sullivan has taken a healthy lead in his second round tie with Pang Junxu, as the Rocket has a 6-2 advantage. Earlier today, Mark Williams booked his spot in the quarter-finals with a 13-10 win over Hossein Vafaei. BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK Follow ALL the action from the Crucible Theatre with our live blog below... 19th Apr 2025, 11:42 By Nyle Smith Latest scores - Morning session Selt pulls one back at long last! The Englishman was trailing 3-0 and looked down and out but he played a brilliant frame to give himself a glimmer of hope. Could the comeback be on? Kyren Wilson 2-2 Lei Peifan Xiao Guodong 3-1 Matthew Selt 19th Apr 2025, 11:23 By Jim Sheridan Latest scores – Morning session Not to be for Selt, who can't reel in Guodong's lead. It's 3-0 to the Chinese star and a big frame coming up for the Englishman. He will be desperate to get on the board before the mid-session interval. Over on Table 1, Wilson and Peifan are already taking a breather. Kyren Wilson 2-2 Lei Peifan Xiao Guodong 3-0 Matthew Selt 19th Apr 2025, 11:18 By Jim Sheridan Latest scores – Morning session Matthew Selt is battling over on Table 2. He looked set to go 3-0 down in the blink of an eye, with Xiao Guodong again dominating a one-sided third frame. But after the Chinese star missed an easy red, Selt has got the snooker he needs and currently trails 73-35. On Table 1, we're all level. Wilson rattles in another break of 78 and looks to have hit his stride. Kyren Wilson 2-2 Lei Peifan Xiao Guodong 2-0 Matthew Selt 19th Apr 2025, 11:03 By Jim Sheridan Latest scores – Morning session A strong response from the defending champion. Wilson looks fired up after that little break to compose himself and appears on for a big century. He has to settle for a break of 82 after rattling the jaws with a long red. But it's enough to half the deficit. Kyren Wilson 1-2 Lei Peifan Xiao Guodong 2-0 Matthew Selt 19th Apr 2025, 10:59 By Jim Sheridan Latest scores – Morning session So far, it's a good day for the Chinese challengers at the Crucible. A first century break of the Championships as Xiao Guodong rattles in a brilliant 120. Kyren Wilson 0-2 Lei Peifan Xiao Guodong 2-0 Matthew Selt 19th Apr 2025, 10:52 By Jim Sheridan Latest scores – Morning session What a start this is from Lei Peifan. He's settled in brilliantly and dominates the second frame, taking it 71-12. Wilson marches off to the dressing rooms to settle down. He missed an early black in that frame and looks nervy. Kyren Wilson 0-2 Lei Peifan Xiao Guodong 1-0 Matthew Selt 19th Apr 2025, 10:44 By Jim Sheridan Latest scores – Morning session It's first blood to Xiao Guodong over on Table 2. After a cagey start, the Chinese star shows off his skills with a silky break of 69. Kyren Wilson 0-1 Lei Peifan Xiao Guodong 1-0 Matthew Selt 19th Apr 2025, 10:37 By Jim Sheridan Latest scores – Morning session A strong start for the 21-year-old from China. Wilson can't take advantage of being let back onto the table, missing an audacious double attempt on a difficult red. Peifan returns and clears the remaining reds, but can't find the yellow. No matter - he takes the opener 70-32. Over on the other table, Xiao Guodong and Matthew Selt are exchanging safety shots in a cagey first frame. Kyren Wilson 0-1 Lei Peifan Xiao Guodong 0-0 Matthew Selt 19th Apr 2025, 10:29 By Jim Sheridan Latest scores – Morning session Peifan gets going after that missed red from the defending champion, scoring an unanswered 58 points. But a failed cannon into the pack lets Wilson back onto the table. There are still 75 points left - this one could get cagey as both players begin to play safe. Kyren Wilson 0-0 Lei Peifan Xiao Guodong 0-0 Matthew Selt 19th Apr 2025, 10:21 By Jim Sheridan Latest scores - Morning session The nerves clearly playing a part for Lei Peifan. A disaster of an opening break, smashing into the blue which flies into the pocket. Wilson can't cash in though, missing the long red into the right corner. Kyren Wilson 0-0 Lei Peifan Xiao Guodong 0-0 Matthew Selt 19th Apr 2025, 10:15 By Jim Sheridan Here come the players It's go time at the Crucible. Defending champion Kyren Wilson gets a rapturous reception from the crowd. Time to see if the Crucible Curse strikes again. Kyren Wilson vs Lei Peifan Xiao Guodong vs Matthew Selt 19th Apr 2025, 10:05 By Jim Sheridan Davis on Crucible future "This is the best snooker venue we are ever going to have." A bold statement from Steve Davis - and made amid speculation the Sheffield arena could soon lose the World Championship. The players are about to make their entrance infront of a capacity crowd in South Yorkshire. 19th Apr 2025, 09:58 By Jim Sheridan Draw in full We're focusing on Kyren Wilson's first-round clash against Lei Peifan this morning, with Xiao Guodong and Matthew Selt on Table 2. As we await the players in Sheffield, here's a full rundown of matches coming at you over the next few days. Judd Trump vs Zhou Yuelong Zhang Anda vs Pang Junxu Shaun Murphy vs Dan Wells Ronnie O'Sullivan vs Ali Carter Ding Junhui vs Zak Surety Mark Allen vs Fan Zhengyi Jak Jones vs Zhao Xingtong John Higgins vs Joe O'Connor Neil Robertson vs Chris Wakelin Xiao Guodong vs Matthew Selt Mark Williams vs Wu Yize Barry Hawkins vs Hossein Vafaei Mark Selby vs Ben Woollaston Kyren Wilson vs Lei Peifan Luca Brecel vs Ryan Day Si Jiahui vs David Gilbert 19th Apr 2025, 09:47 By Nyle Smith Baulk at the idea TNT Sports have left fans shocked after announcing their commentary team for the World Snooker Championship. The BBC will continue to air the bulk of the sessions in Sheffield, with every match available on iPlayer. But the switch to TNT Sports means fans will access an all-new commentary team. That includes chief commentator Darren Fletcher, who is often heard on Champions League matches and at big boxing events. He is often accompanied by Ally McCoist for those big European nights, and the Scot is set to join him for the snooker. The news was confirmed during Arsenal's 2-1 win over Real Madrid on Wednesday - much to the surprise of viewers. 19th Apr 2025, 09:30 By Nyle Smith History in the making? Surely Ronnie isn't going to withdraw because he is chasing a history-making 8th World Championship?! But who dare tell him what to do especially after he has won this competition the most amount of times along with Stephen Hendry. Here are the years of O'Sullivan's previous wins: 2001 2004 2008 2012 2013 2020 2022 19th Apr 2025, 09:16 By Nyle Smith Ronnie's reality check Ronnie O'Sullivan fears he has lost his bottle — and warned he may quit the World Snooker Championship if he has 'a meltdown'. The Rocket said: 'I'm not playing until Tuesday. So if I have a meltdown, who knows? I might still bloody withdraw. I hope I don't. "I'm surprised I'm here but I'm here. I don't have any expectations. "I'd just like to not feel all at sea out there. If I can just play and at least feel semi-competitive, I'd be happy with that. "Could I win the whole thing? I doubt it. I'd be very happy to just give Ali a game. "I'm nearly 50 now and there's a lot of young guys who are hungry and competing all the time. It's a bit different to say 2012, 2013." 19th Apr 2025, 09:02 By Nyle Smith The Crucible curse The Crucible curse is the quip given to the fact that no first-time world champion has ever retained their crown the following year. Since the tournament moved to the Crucible in 1977 it has cursed 19 players in a row with every debut champion crumbling under the pressure of snooker 's grandest stage. Some have come close though - Joe Johnson and Ken Doherty both made it to the final the year after their maiden victories - but most don't get anywhere near that far. As recently as 2023, Luca Brecel was doomed by the curse, losing in the first round of the 2024 tournament after winning the title the year before. Brecel is not on his own though - seven champions have gone on to lose their first match the following year. Steve Davis, Stephen Hendry, Ronnie O'Sullivan and Mark Selby have all managed to win consecutive titles at the Crucible, but they had won the championship previously. Wilson returns to South Yorkshire as the reigning champion and is determined to lift the curse and posted a hilarious video to social media in an effort to exorcise the demons. In the video, Wilson jokingly completed some of the superstitions people believe to bring us bad luck, including smashing a mirror and holding his World Championship trophy next to a black cat. 19th Apr 2025, 09:01 By Nyle Smith Wil he win it again? Kyren Wilson claimed his first world title after some thrilling action at the Crucible, beating Jak Jones in the 2024 final. The Kettering superstar beat Jak Jones 18-14 despite a spirited comeback from the qualifier. And he'll be hoping to break the Crucible curse this year. By Nyle Smith Welcome to SunSport's World Snooker Championship 2025 coverage The day we have all been waiting for is FINALLY here… The World Snooker Championship and us here at SunSport will be ALL over it for the first ball to the last. Last year's winner, Kyren Wilson, heads to Sheffield as top seed after he claimed the crown with an 18-14 win over Jak Jones in the 2024 final. World No1 Judd Trump will be heavily tipped to take the title this year as the Ace aims to add to his 2019 world championship triumph. Seven-time Crucible winner Ronnie O'Sullivan hasn't featured since January but is set to make his return to snooker in Sheffield. John Higgins heads into the World Championship as the man in form after the Scotsman won the Tour Championship earlier this month. This year's competition promises to be a thriller, and SunSport brings you all the information so you don't miss a second from the Crucible.
BBC News
25-04-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
'National hero' - China's pursuit of an elusive world title
Players from eight countries have won snooker's most prestigious title and become world champion – but China is still waiting for its first 2025 be the year that changes?This season's World Championship last 16 includes six Chinese players – Ding Junhui, Lei Peifan, Pang Junxu, Si Jiahui, Xiao Guodong and Zhao Xintong – with England having the next highest total with five."This has got to be the biggest year for China in terms of chances of having a world champion," said Jason Ferguson, chairman of the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA)."We've seen players like Lei Peifan winning ranking events and players bounce on to the scene and that could happen here. These boys have no fear and really want it."If a Chinese player became a world champion there's no doubt that player would become a national hero."Trailblazer Ding has come the closest to snooker's ultimate glory, losing 18-14 to Mark Selby in the 2016 the six Chinese players left in, four have won ranking tournaments, with two of those coming this season - Xiao at the Wuhan Open in October and Lei in the Scottish Open in December."There's been a big improvement in Chinese players," said Ding. "In the past two or three seasons, they've improved so quickly."They're showing people how good they are and they've won tournaments, which says they've got the talent, skills and form to play anybody."It tells people they're ready to play the biggest tournament and hopefully one of them can win it. I would love to see a Chinese player win a World Championship - it would be great for Chinese snooker and also for the young ones to look at and start playing from a young age." 'This day is when snooker becomes a sport' Since the turn of the century, there has been a British winner at the Crucible in every year apart from when Australian Neil Robertson triumphed in 2010 and Belgium's Luca Brecel took the 2023 a long-term aim from snooker bosses has been to grow the game globally."Most people thought this sport was very English and would remain this way, but we could see a real burning will to grow in these countries," said Ferguson.A pivotal moment in snooker's development came when it was added into the World Games in Akita, Japan in August 2001."That really changed the face of snooker," added Ferguson. "I remember walking into the arena with my friends from Asia and we were carrying a banner in a stadium in front of 60,000 people which said 'Billiards Sports'."My friend said to me: 'Jason, remember this day, this day is when snooker becomes a sport.'"We had taken this game which was doing well and very popular in England and had turned it into a sport."Snooker's popularity in China grew at a rapid rate, accelerating when a shy Ding, two days after his 18th birthday, defeated seven-time world champion Stephen Hendry to win the 2005 China Open, watched by a reported television audience of 110 million people in the country."Because of Ding, snooker now has a big market," said world number 12 Zhang Anda. "Ding being world champion would be good for every player because China is a very big market. I hope he can win the first one." Growing the game and recovering from fixing scandal "It's not just about major events in China, we've built Chinese snooker from the bottom up," said Ferguson."China embraced this sport and gave it a lot of love and care. The one thing China has got right is access to snooker facilities in schools and mainstream education. That's something we need here."The players are coming together in academies - there are three in Sheffield - and you find players playing against each other day in, day out and the standard of snooker is absolutely amazing."Chinese snooker, and the sport in general, received a huge setback in June 2023 when 10 players from China received bans for their involvement in Masters champion Yan Bingtao was among those banned, while Liang Wenbo and Li Hang were handed lifetime a former UK Championship winner, served an 18-month ban and has been the only player to return after he had not directly thrown a match but accepted charges of being a party to another player fixing two matches and betting on matches himself."It was a shame some players fell foul of the rules, it was a really sad time and difficult to deal with," said Ferguson."We kept close to our partners in China and the authorities in snooker. We worked together to educate players better and to ensure the players have opportunities. The sport has recovered and it has not stopped the talent coming through." 'Team China' aiming for 'magical moment' Robertson knows what it is like to break through the British dominance of snooker and felt the unity the Chinese players were showing this year was a massive Australian added: "Xiao Guodong said it's like 'Team China' and they are really happy for each other and I like that mindset. He said they're trying to take the burden off Ding and support him and they're in it together."The game is getting stronger and stronger in China and it makes first rounds in all tournaments harder as we're only going to get more Chinese players qualifying."They don't seem fazed by the Crucible and all seem to play well, even on debuts, so it's exciting for snooker. We're seeing a lot of international flags, which is great for the game."So what happens to snooker if a Chinese player lifts the famous trophy on Monday, 5 May?"It's something the authorities we've been working in China with have dreamed of, that one day they would have the world champion," said Ferguson."If a Chinese player wins it would be magical, a historical moment, a real shift in the sport, and I can't tell you the media frenzy it would cause for snooker around the world."
