Rankings: Beijing The Last Chance For Chasing Pack
This week’s China Open is the final opportunity for players currently outside the top 16 to earn a place among the elite, ahead of the seeding cut-off for the Betfred World Championship.
Gould and Maguire both need a deep run in China
The top 16 after the China Open will enjoy an automatic place at the Crucible, while all other players will need to win three matches at Ponds Forge in Sheffield to earn a spot at the Theatre of Dreams.
Tickets for the qualifying rounds at Ponds Forge are on sale now and cost just £10 per day, for details click here
As is stands, 15 of the top 16 seeds are already safe, everyone down to Anthony McGill on this list . So the only players in danger of being knocked out is Ryan Day, and the fact that he has not qualified for Beijing will leave him hoping results go his way in the Far East.
There are nine players at the China Open who have a chance to overtake Day:
Joe Perry and Martin Gould could earn a top 16 spot by reaching the semi-finals, if other results go their way
David Gilbert, Mark King and Ricky Walden must at least reach the final
Michael Holt, Mark Williams, Alan McManus and Stephen Maguire must win the £85,000 top prize to have a chance.
So it’s all to play for in China – for the draw and format click here
Judd Trump’s victory at the Ladbrokes Players Championship in Llandudno earned him £125,000 and moved him up to second place in the official world rankings, ahead of Stuart Bingham though still nearly £350,000 behind Mark Selby.
Anthony Hamilton reached the quarter-finals in North Wales and – having almost been relegated from the tour last year – he’s now up to 25th in the world, having earned £134,925 this season.
Trump’s success also secured him a place at the Champion of Champions in November – for details on that event click here