Zhao And Hamilton Progress
Zhao Xintong and Anthony Hamilton progressed to Winners’ Week after the second day of play at the BetVictor Championship League Snooker in Leicester
Zhao started the day off in a rampant fashion as he defeated Michael Holt in a 3-1 win which included a century run of 105. The Cyclone followed that up with a 45-minute demolition of Adam Duffy.
Hammad Miah was Zhao’s main opposition for the place in the next stage. After drawing with Duffy, he scored a 3-1 defeat of Holt. That set up a deciding tie with Zhao in the last round of matches.
UK Champion Zhao only required a point, but he eased to a 3-0 win to secure his place in the next round in impressive fashion.
Zhao said: “I want to be better than last year and I want to do my best. I will try as hard as I can to win the matches and the tournament. The idea of aiming to become world number one in the future sounds good. Hopefully I can do it.”
Over on table two the decisive tie was more tightly contested. Noppon Saengkham started off brightly with a 3-0 win over Steven Hallworth. The Thai cueist went on to add a second win of the day with a 3-1 defeat of Ashley Hugill, which included a high break of 90. Hamilton meanwhile had to settle for a point against Hugill, before whitewashing Hallworth. That meant only a win against Saengkham would keep his tournament hopes alive.
Former German Masters winner Hamilton came out the blocks quickly against Saengkham, with a classy clearance of 130 to lead 1-0. Saengkham got his first on the board in the second, but Hamilton took the next and then fired in a break of 114 in the last to seal a win and his spot in the next stage.
2022 BetVictor Championship League Snooker continues tomorrow with previous winner Kyren Wilson in action on Table 1 in Group 6 live on FreeSports and Matchroom.Live in the UK and networks worldwide with Zhang Anda, Michael Judge, and Luke Simmonds whilst Tom Ford leads Group 26 with Chris Wakelin, Ian Burns and Anton Kazakov live on the Matchroom Multi Sport YouTube for free. See where to watch here.