Trump Falls As Cao Tops Group
Cao Yupeng and Sam Craigie have progressed to the final day of the BetVictor Championship League Snooker – Ranking Edition at the Morningside Arena, Leicester live on Viaplay Xtra in the UK, Viaplay in Scandinavia, the Baltics, Netherlands, Poland, and broadcasters worldwide including Matchroom.Live.
Judd Trump, Joe Perry, and Matthew Stevens all stood in Cao’s way of progression but the Chinese cueman did enough, in the end, to move through to tomorrow’s final day.
Trump opened with a 3-1 win over Matthew Stevens, making two centuries, while Cao top scored with a 141 in a 3-0 success against Perry. Cao then came from 2-0 down to earn a vital 2-2 draw against Trump, before scoring another 2-2 draw against Stevens.
That meant Trump had to win his last match against Perry to top the group, and he started well as a break of 119 gave him the opening frame then he took the second for 2-0. But missed reds at key moments in each of the last two frames allowed Perry to battle back to 2-2.
Cao said: “I am very happy, I had a good feeling about today. I tried to make myself play quickly and I was more relaxed out there so I managed to put some good breaks together. I was surprised when Judd missed the red. I feel today may well be my lucky day. It would be a dream to win a ranking event. I want to get a title. I’ve never done it before and I hope this is my season.”
In Group G, Craigie faced off with Jak Jones, Michael White, and tour debutant Long Zehuang and he made light work of White in his opening match 3-0 to set the early pace.
Craigie started the evening session with a 2-2 draw against Long, which meant that in his last game against Jones he only needed one frame, and he went on to win 3-1 to ensure top spot.
Friday sees the final day of the BetVictor Championship League Snooker where Group 1’s Shaun Murphy, Robert Milkins, Xiao Guodong and Chris Wakelin will battle out on Table 1 live on Viaplay Xtra in the UK, while Mark Williams, Noppon Saengkham, Cao and Craigie will all be looking to reach the first ranking event final of the 2023/24 season.
After the group phase, the group winners will face off for the 2023 BetVictor Championship League Snooker – Ranking Edition final.
Watch BetVictor Championship League Snooker – Ranking Edition on Viaplay Xtra – FreeView in the UK and Ireland. Those in Scandinavia, the Baltics, Netherlands, and Poland can watch live on Viaplay whilst Matchroom.Live is available to those without a broadcaster. See where to watch here.
The BetVictor Championship League Snooker – Ranking Edition carries a first prize of £33,000 and the winner also secures a spot in the 2023 Champion of Champions set to take place in Bolton from November 13-19 live on ITV.
Secure your tickets for the 2023 Champion of Champions from £15 here with the likes of Ronnie O’Sullivan, Judd Trump, Mark Allen, and Mark Selby already qualified.