Yuan Is King In Haining

Yuan Sijun won the Dongjiu Cup 2023 CBSA Haining Snooker Open on Saturday, beating Wu Yize 5-1 in the final to capture his second CBSA national title.

World number 52 Yuan made breaks of 65, 69 and 80 in a high quality semi-final against Liu Hongyu. In the other semi, Wu beat defending champion He Guoqiang 4-2.

Yuan took a 4-0 lead in the final with a top break of 113. Wu pulled one back with an 83 in the fifth frame, before Yuan sealed the result in frame six.

He said: “There was no strategy during the final. We even had dinner together before the match and it was great fun. We practise together in the UK and Wu’s dad often cook for us, so there was no pressure at all.

“I had a good start of the match and I think he took some time to get used to the conditions, because I played my semi-final on the same table while he was on another one. I took my chances and pulled away, and got more relaxed after going ahead.

“It’s a great occasion to have this tournament again in Haining. We enjoy our time here. I won my first national junior title here, so I’m very pleased to win another national tournament here a decade later.”

Wu won the event high break prize with a 143 in the second round.