Yuan Wins First CBSA Title

World number 52 Yuan Sijun defeated Pang Junxu 5-2 in the final of a CBSA China tour ranking event in Huizhou, winning the national title for the first time.

The tournament was sponsored by Huizhou Rural Commercial Bank and promoted by Liang Wenbo. Ronnie O’Sullivan, John Higgins and Marco Fu were among the presentation party and played an exhibition event.

The tournament ran from 25th to 29th August. Four players born after the year 2000, Wu Yize, Yuan Sijun, Pang Junxu and Lei Peifan advanced into the final day. Yuan and Pang both won their semi-finals 4-1 to progress to the final.

Yuan took an early lead 2-0, winning two tactical frames. Pang pulled one back with a break of 71 before Yuan’s brilliant 114 in the fourth frame made it 3-1. Pang won the fifth but his opponent made another century for 4-2 before wrapping up victory in the seventh.

“I’m so happy to win the title for the first time,” said Yuan after taking the 50,000 RMB top prize. “The semi-final line-up showed good signs for snooker because every sport needs a new generation.

“I didn’t expect to do so well coming into the tournament, but winning the final gave me a lot of confidence. My goal is to win a world ranking title this season, following the example of Yan Bingtao winning in Riga. I need to make the most of my chances.

“I will practise more and hopefully become a more complete player.”

Luo Zetao took the high break prize with a 140.