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.
Articles by Jonathan Ashby
Efe Acikalin: The Turkish Trailblazer Bringing Snooker to a New Audience
Efe Acikalin is doing pioneering work in bringing professional snooker to Turkish fans, as explored in a recent episode of the Framed: The Snooker Podcast hosted by Shabnam Younus-Jewell.
2026 Scottish Open Qualifiers: Draw, Schedule and What's at Stake in Leicester
The 2026 Scottish Open qualifiers run from 20 to 23 September at the Mattioli Arena in Leicester, with 32 places up for grabs ahead of the venue stages at Meadowbank Sports Centre in Edinburgh in December.
International Championship Qualifiers: Higgins, Williams and Murphy Advance as Carter Suffers Shock Defeat
John Higgins, Mark Williams, and Shaun Murphy all navigated the International Championship qualifiers in Leicester, while Ali Carter suffered a surprise 6-2 defeat to Anton Kazakov just days after winning the English Open.
White Turns Back the Clock to Edge Stevens in Five-Set Thriller at International Championship Qualifiers
Jimmy White, at 64 the oldest player on the World Snooker Tour, battled past Matthew Stevens 6-5 in the 2026 International Championship qualifiers to reach the Nanjing venue stage.
Mark Allen Withdraws From Shenzhen Open, Extending Absence to Six Ranking Events
Mark Allen has withdrawn from the Shenzhen Open for personal reasons, extending his absence from professional snooker to six ranking events this season. The world number 13 has not competed since his World Championship semi-final defeat to Wu Yize in early May.
2026 International Championship Qualifiers: Draw, Schedule and What's at Stake in Leicester
The 2026 International Championship qualifiers run from 17–19 September at the Mattioli Arena in Leicester, with players competing for places at the main event in Nanjing, China, later this autumn.
Mike Ganley on Snooker's Culture: 'It's All About Respect'
Mike Ganley joined Shabnam Younus-Jewell on Framed: The Snooker Podcast to discuss the values he believes sit at the heart of the sport — with respect topping his list.
Efe Acikalin: The Turkish Trailblazer Bringing Snooker to a New Audience
Efe Acikalin's appearance on the Framed: The Snooker Podcast highlights the Turkish professional's role in bringing snooker to a new generation of fans — and what it means to pioneer a sport in an emerging market.
Williams Stages Stunning Five-Frame Comeback to Set Up Carter Final at English Open
Mark Williams came back from 1-5 down to beat Shaun Murphy 6-5 and will face Ali Carter in Sunday's English Open final — the first for both players in the event's history.
2026 Northern Ireland Open Qualifiers: Draw, Schedule and What to Watch at the Mattioli Arena
The 2026 Northern Ireland Open qualifiers begin at the Mattioli Arena in Leicester from Sunday 13 September, with 32 places up for grabs ahead of the venue stage at the Waterfront Hall in Belfast next month.
Murphy Edges Out Trump in Deciding Frame to Book English Open Semi-Final Spot
Shaun Murphy reached the English Open semi-finals with a nervy deciding-frame win over Judd Trump, who had levelled with a 112 clearance to force a decider. Murphy will face Mark Williams on Saturday evening after Williams defeated Liam Davies 6-3.
2026 English Open: Draw, Prize Money, Broadcast Details and What to Expect in Brentwood
The 2026 English Open gets underway in Brentwood this week, with defending champion Mark Allen absent and a £550,400 prize fund on offer at the fifth ranking event of the season.
English Open Last 16: Trump and Selby Chase Thirds as Draw Takes Shape in Brentwood
The 2026 English Open has reached its last 16 in Brentwood, with two-time champions Judd Trump and Mark Selby on opposite sides of the draw as both chase a record third Steve Davis Trophy.
Trump Acknowledges Snooker's Brutal Reality as English Open Campaign Gets Under Way
Judd Trump reflected candidly on the mental demands of professional snooker after a brisk 4-0 win over Jordan Brown opened his 2026 English Open campaign at the Brentwood Centre.
Jak Jones Grinds Down Selby to Claim British Open Crown and Second Ranking Title
Jak Jones claimed the second ranking title of his career with a composed 10-6 victory over four-time world champion Mark Selby in the British Open final on 6 September 2026.
Jak Jones Claims British Open Title With Commanding Win Over Selby in Cheltenham
Jak Jones claimed the 2026 British Open title in Cheltenham on Sunday, defeating Mark Selby 10-6 to secure his second ranking event victory of the season and move to 18th in the provisional World Championship seedings.
Rankings Update: Selby Returns to Top Two as Jak Jones Climbs Nine Places After British Open
Jak Jones climbed nine places in the world rankings after claiming his second ranking title of the season at the 2026 British Open, while Mark Selby returned to the top two following his runner-up finish in Cheltenham.
Jones Stuns Trump to Reach British Open Final Against Selby in Career-Defining Week
Jak Jones defeated Judd Trump 6-3 in a dramatic semi-final comeback to set up a British Open final against Mark Selby, who reached his 40th ranking event final with a 6-3 win over Liam Highfield.
British Open Semi-Finals: Selby Seeks 27th Title as All-British Last Four Takes Shape
The 2026 British Open semi-finals are set for an all-British affair in Cheltenham, with Mark Selby facing Liam Highfield and Judd Trump taking on Jak Jones as all four players chase the £100,000 top prize.
Stan Moody Stuns John Higgins to Reach British Open Quarter-Finals
Stan Moody defeated four-time champion John Higgins 4-2 in the British Open last 16, reaching the quarter-finals for the second consecutive year with a composed closing performance in Cheltenham.
Sheffield and World Snooker Tour Sign Landmark Deal to Keep World Championship at the Crucible Until at Least 2045
Sheffield City Council and World Snooker Limited have formally signed a contract keeping the World Snooker Championship at the Crucible Theatre until at least 2045, with a projected total economic impact of £208 million if extended to 2050.
Murphy Knocked Out as Gilbert Ends Defending Champion's British Open Campaign
Shaun Murphy's defence of the British Open ended at the second-round stage as David Gilbert posted a 4-2 victory in Cheltenham, with Gilbert's 117 break setting the tone for a disciplined winning display.
Hendry: 'I'd Be Shocked If Chang Bingyu Misses The Masters' After Wuhan Open Triumph
Stephen Hendry says he would be 'shocked' if Chang Bingyu fails to qualify for the Masters after the 24-year-old's Wuhan Open triumph pushed him to a provisional ranking of 15th.
Steve Davis Heads to Bristol as Snooker On Your Street Brings Community Event to Yate
Steve Davis is set to appear at a free community snooker event in Yate, Bristol this Tuesday evening as the Snooker On Your Street initiative — a joint programme between Smart Energy GB and World Snooker Tour — heads to the South West.
Sanderson Lam Tops Q Tour Rankings After Maiden Title at Northern Snooker Centre
Sanderson Lam claimed his maiden Q Tour title at the Northern Snooker Centre in Leeds on Sunday, defeating Farakh Ajaib 4-1 in the final to move immediately to the top of the early season rankings.
Sanderson Lam Claims Maiden Q Tour Crown With Dominant Leeds Victory
Sanderson Lam won the opening WPBSA Q Tour Europe event of the 2026/27 season at the Northern Snooker Centre in Leeds, defeating Farakh Ajaib 4-1 in the final to claim the first Q Tour title of his career.
Mike Ganley on the Culture of Snooker: 'It's All About Respect'
Mike Ganley appeared on the Framed: The Snooker Podcast in August 2025, delivering a candid reflection on the values that define snooker at every level of the game.
Chang Bingyu Claims Maiden Ranking Title With Gritty Wuhan Open Victory Over Zhao Xintong
Chang Bingyu claimed his maiden ranking title at the 2026 Wuhan Open, defeating world number one Zhao Xintong 10-7 in a dramatic all-Chinese final at the Optics Valley Gymnasium.
Sheffield Mural Artist Defends 'Unfinished' Ronnie O'Sullivan Portrait After Viral Backlash
A Sheffield street artist has defended his work-in-progress mural of seven-time world champion Ronnie O'Sullivan after images of the unfinished portrait went viral, drawing comparisons to Michael Jackson and criticism over the likeness.
O'Sullivan Vows to Play On Despite Wuhan Exit and Candid Mental Health Admission
Ronnie O'Sullivan has vowed to continue playing for at least another 18 months after a 6-3 semi-final defeat to Chang Bingyu at the Wuhan Open, speaking candidly about a return of mental health difficulties during the match.
Wuhan Open Final Preview: Zhao Xintong Chases Seventh Ranking Crown as Chang Bingyu Seeks Maiden Title
Zhao Xintong faces Chang Bingyu in Saturday's 2026 Wuhan Open final, with the world number one ranking and a maiden professional title respectively on the line for the two Chinese finalists.
Zhao Xintong Defeats Robertson to Become China's Second World Number One
Zhao Xintong defeated Neil Robertson 5-1 at the Wuhan Open to guarantee he will become snooker's 13th world number one, following Judd Trump's earlier exit from the same event.
Allen to Miss Five Opening Ranking Events of 2026/27 Season for Personal Reasons
Mark Allen will miss the British Open and English Open for personal reasons, meaning the world number 13 will have sat out the first five ranking events of the 2026/27 season since his heartbreaking World Championship semi-final defeat in May.
Graeme Dott Removed from Snooker Hall of Fame Following Child Abuse Conviction
Graeme Dott has been removed from World Snooker's Hall of Fame with immediate effect after being found guilty of sexually abusing two children, with the WPBSA also permanently revoking his membership following an emergency board meeting.
2026 Wuhan Open: World No.1 Race, Prize Money, Draw and How to Watch
The 2026 Wuhan Open runs from 23–29 August at the Optics Valley Gymnasium, with five players capable of ending the month as world number one and Xiao Guodong chasing a historic third consecutive title.
O'Sullivan Admits Four-Year Struggle With Form Despite Wuhan Last-16 Spot
Ronnie O'Sullivan reached the last 16 of the 2026 Wuhan Open with a 5-1 win over Yao Pengcheng, but admitted afterwards that four years of inconsistent ball-striking has left him deeply frustrated.
Wu Yize's World No.1 Bid Ends in Wuhan as Zizins Produces Major Upset
Wu Yize's hopes of becoming snooker's world number one have been ended at the 2026 Wuhan Open after a 5-4 defeat to Latvia's Artemijs Zizins, leaving four players still in contention for top spot.
Graeme Dott Found Guilty of Child Sexual Abuse Following Glasgow Trial
Former World Snooker Champion Graeme Dott has been found guilty of child sexual abuse at the High Court in Glasgow, with the WPBSA moving to permanently revoke his membership following the verdict.
Graeme Dott Found Guilty of Child Sexual Abuse Following Glasgow High Court Trial
Graeme Dott, the 2006 World Snooker Champion, has been found guilty of sexually abusing two primary school-age children following a five-day trial at the High Court in Glasgow.
2026 Wuhan Open: Draw, Schedule, Prize Money and World Number One Battle
The 2026 Wuhan Open gets underway at the Optics Valley Gymnasium from 23–29 August, with Xiao Guodong chasing a historic third consecutive title and five players battling for the world number one ranking.
Hendry backs O'Sullivan to end ranking drought despite China Open setback
Stephen Hendry has predicted Ronnie O'Sullivan will win at least one ranking event this season, despite the Rocket's 6-4 defeat to Noppon Saengkham at the China Open extending his title drought to two-and-a-half years.
Causier Demolishes Hall to Claim 2026 Northern Open Title in Leeds
David Causier claimed the 2026 Northern Open title at the Northern Snooker Centre in Leeds with a ruthless 1,014–94 victory over Robert Hall, recording a tournament high break of 816 along the way.
Mark Selby Claims Fourth China Open Crown With Commanding Final Victory Over Noppon Saengkham
Mark Selby claimed a fourth China Open title in Taiyuan on Sunday, defeating Noppon Saengkham 10-6 in the final to extend his unrivalled record at the event, which returned to the World Snooker Tour calendar for the first time since 2019.
Disability Snooker Returns to World Abilitysport Stage at 2026 Guttman Games in Finland
Disability snooker returns to the World Abilitysport stage as 32 players from 13 nations compete at the 2026 Guttman Games in Pajulahti, Finland, from 17–20 August.
Gilbert Storms Into China Open Quarter-Finals With Back-to-Back Wins Over Ding and Wu
David Gilbert defeated world champion Wu Yize 6-2 at the China Open to reach the quarter-finals, continuing a strong start to the 2026/27 season that has already seen him dispatch Ding Junhui 6-1 in the same tournament.
Hendry Tips Trump for China Open Glory After Cue Breakthrough
Stephen Hendry has tipped Judd Trump to win the 2026 China Open, pointing to Trump's resolution of a lengthy cue dispute as the decisive factor behind his renewed confidence.
China Open Returns to the Tour in Taiyuan After Seven-Year Absence
The China Open returns to the World Snooker Tour after a seven-year absence, with Taiyuan hosting the event for the first time from 8–16 August 2026 and a top prize of £250,000 on offer.
Trump Secures Second Shanghai Crown With Commanding Win Over Wilson
Judd Trump claimed his second Shanghai Masters title and tenth invitational crown with an 11-6 defeat of defending champion Kyren Wilson on 3rd August 2026, taking the £210,000 top prize and restoring his advantage in a head-to-head record that now stands at 14-12 in his favour.
Trump Opens 2026/27 Season in Style With Shanghai Masters Title — But Ranking Challenges Loom
Judd Trump defeated Kyren Wilson 11-6 to claim the 2026 Shanghai Masters title and open the new season with silverware, but the world number one acknowledges that a challenging ranking points situation lies ahead.
Wilson Rallies From 8-6 Down to Reach Shanghai Masters Final Against Trump
Kyren Wilson fought back from 8-6 down to defeat Zhao Xintong 10-8 and set up a Shanghai Masters final against world number one Judd Trump on Sunday, with £210,000 on the line.