Big Names Progress Through 2024 International Championship Qualifying

(Image by: juddtrump)

The world of snooker never stops and just days after the conclusion of the British Open, several of the games biggest stars were back in action as they competed in qualifying for the 2024 International Championship. 

Set to be played in Nanjing in November, the field is starting to take shape. Here are the headlines from the first batch of matches. 

Trump Puts Heartache of British Open Defeat Behind Him to Ease Through to The Next Stage of The International Championship

Judd Trump has enjoyed a tremendous record in the International Championship having won the tournament twice before in 2012 and 2019. 

Having a point to prove following his disappointing exit in the quarterfinals of the British Open to Mark Allen, the world number one had a point to prove in qualifying and he duly reminded everyone of what a force he is dispatching Chris Totten 6-1.

Questions were asked of the former World Champion who could only sit and watch as his Scottish opponent powered his way to the opening frame, however when in amongst the balls, Trump showed no signs of his defeat to Allen as he won the next six frames with breaks of 54, 66, 103, 60 and 71.

Trump has enjoyed a great season winning both the Shanghai Masters and Saudi Arabia Masters, one of the most popular players for fans in the Far East, the man from Bristol has spoken numerous times of how comfortable he is playing in China and he will start as the bookies favourite when the final stage starts next month. 

Trio of Former World Champions Advance to International Championship Final Round 

A trio of former World Champions have all ensured their place in the final round of the International Championship as Shuan Murphy, John Higgins and Mark Williams emerged unscathed from qualifying.

The most convincing winner was Williams, having undergone a recent string of poor results, the Welshman was in flying form as he dismissed Haris Tahir 6-0. Ranked seven in the world, Williams is looking to end 2024 strongly and will hope his easy qualifying win will put his early defeats in the English and British Opens firmly behind him.

Next to book his ticket to China for the finals was John Higgins. Paired in qualifying with another former World Champion in the shape of Ken Doherty, the ‘Wizard from Wishaw’ showed that he is still very much a force to be reckoned with as he powered his way past his opponent, a convincing 6-1 winner, he will be a name that everybody in the finals will want to avoid in the early rounds.

Another man looking for form at the International Championship is Shaun Murphy. Still one of the most talented players to grace the tables, Murphy has previous at this tournament having lost in the final in 2019 and he will hope to go one place better this time around.

Unlike Higgins and Williams, Murphy certainly didn’t have things his own way and he had to battle hard to sneak past the challenge of Louis Heathcote. In a match that ebbed and flowed, the two swapped frames until the man from Sheffield was able to pull clear at 5-3. Needing to win just one more frame to assure his place at next month’s finals, Heathcote would take the ninth frame to make the score 5-4. With the pressure building, Murphy used all of his experience and nous to come through a tricky contest 6-4. 

Now ready to rock and roll, his chances of success in China can’t be dismissed.

(Image by: shaunmurphy147)

Bingham Continues Quest to Climb The Rankings, Selby Cruises Through 

When it comes to the game’s world rankings, the top 16 is where you want to be and one man who is desperate to climb into one of those coveted spots is former World Champion Stuart Bingham. Now ranked 24 in the world, Bingham knows he needs to get motoring if he is to avoid having to qualify for next year’s World Championship and he took a big step towards that by ensuring his place in next month’s finals.

An early exit at last weeks’ British Open was a blow, but he showed that his defeat to Stephen Maguire was well behind him as he crushed Liam Graham 6-0 to ensure his finals place. Few will head to the Far East with as much to gain as Bingham.

The only man who can rival Judd Trump for the amount of victories achieved at the International Championship is Mark Selby. A winner of this event in 2017 and 2018, Selby remains on course for a third title when he battled past one of the youngest players on the Tour, Artemijs Zizins 6-3.

Staving off a late fightback from the hugely talented Latvian, Selby, now ranked fourth in the world, will start as a major contender and following his victory at last week’s British Open few would bet against him landing yet another International Championship title.

(Image by: stuartbingham147)

Robertson Maintains Good Form, All Eyes on Ronnie O’Sullivan

One man who will be determined to capture this year’s International Championship is Neil Robertson. The former World Champion has experienced a tough few years but he is currently playing some of his best snooker in years and is once again knocking on the door of entering the world’s top ten.

Twice a beaten finalist of this event in 2012 and 2018, Robertson is another player who will head to China with high hopes and his confidence would have been boosted even further by his 6-1 demolition of Alfred Burden in qualifying. He could be one to watch with real interest as the tournament begins.

One man yet to book his place in the finals is Ronnie O’Sullivan, but the ‘Rocket’ will hope to book his place in the finals when he takes to the table to take on Nutcharut Wongharuthai. He should have too much firepower for the talented Thai player but O’Sullivan seems to be having a tough time with the sport.

A late withdrawal from the British Open last week, O’Sullivan has spoken numerous times of how he doesn’t like to travel to China to play. A huge draw at home and abroad, the Chinese fans will be hoping he qualifies but what version of O’Sullivan appears and how motivated he will be to progress remains to be seen.

Jonathan Ashby

Jonathan Ashby, at 35, boasts a deep well of knowledge about the world of snooker. A specialist with a passion for the game's history, techniques, and players, he provides invaluable insights to both novices and seasoned enthusiasts. Through his articles, Jonathan aims to share the rich tapestry and nuances of this beloved cue sport.