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
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.
Trump Books Fifth Shanghai Final After Dismissing World Champion Wu 10-6
Judd Trump reached his fifth Shanghai Masters final after defeating world champion Wu Yize 10-6, recovering from an early deficit to set up Sunday's best-of-21 decider against either Kyren Wilson or Zhao Xintong.
O'Sullivan Opens 2026-27 Season in Style With Convincing Shanghai Win, While Selby Crashes Out
Ronnie O'Sullivan opened his 2026-27 campaign with a 6-1 victory over wildcard Liu Linhao at the Shanghai Masters, while Mark Selby suffered a shock first-round exit after squandering a 5-4 lead against Zhou Yuelong.
Brecel Stumbles Again as English Open Qualifying Produces Notable Upsets in Leicester
Luca Brecel's difficult post-World Championship period continued at the weekend as the Belgian fell 4-3 to Antoni Kowalski in the 2026 English Open qualifiers in Leicester, leaving his tour ranking position under increased scrutiny.
2026 English Open Qualifiers: Draw, Schedule and Preview as Leicester Stint Concludes
The 2026 English Open qualifiers take place at the Mattioli Arena in Leicester on 25–26 July, concluding a three-event qualifying block as 2026/27 season action continues.
Shenzhen Open Qualifiers: Bingham, Carter and Un-Nooh Through as Brecel and Lisowski Suffer Early Exits
Stuart Bingham, Ali Carter and Thepchaiya Un-Nooh are among the players who secured their places at the 2026 Shenzhen Open, while Jack Lisowski and Luca Brecel were among the high-profile names to exit at the qualifying stage in Leicester.
Fan Zhengyi dumps Jimmy White out of Shenzhen Open qualifiers as Brecel survives scare
Jimmy White was beaten 5-1 by Fan Zhengyi in the 2026 Shenzhen Open qualifiers on Monday, while Luca Brecel edged past fellow Belgian Julien Leclercq 5-3 to ease his tour survival concerns.
Snooker Rankings: How Championship League Snooker Has Reshuffled the Pack for 2026/27
Jak Jones claimed his maiden ranking title at Championship League Snooker, rising three places in the world rankings, as Kyren Wilson made the only change to the top 16 in the 2026/27 season's opening standings update.
Jak Jones Ends 16-Year Wait for First Ranking Title With Championship League Victory
Jak Jones claimed the first ranking title of his career on 16th July 2026, defeating David Gilbert 3-2 in the BetVictor Championship League final in Leicester after 16 years as a professional.
Jak Jones Claims Maiden Ranking Title With Championship League Snooker Victory
Jak Jones claimed the first ranking title of his professional career on Wednesday, defeating David Gilbert 3-2 in the final of the 2026 Championship League Snooker at the Mattioli Arena in Leicester.
Gilbert and Jones Book Stage Three Places as Top-16 Drought Confirmed
David Gilbert claimed top spot in Group E to advance to the Championship League's Stage Three, while Jak Jones progressed from Group F with an unbeaten record. The results confirm that no top-16 player will feature in the last eight of snooker's opening ranking event of the 2026/27 season.
Historic Clean Sweep: All Eight Champions Defend Titles at Landywood's Champion of Champions
All eight title holders successfully defended their crowns at the 2026 Champion of Champions in Landywood — a feat unprecedented in the event's history since its 2018 inception.
Canovan Claims Maiden Q Tour Crown on Home Soil at Auckland's New Zealand Open
Mark Canovan claimed his first WPBSA Q Tour title at the age of 54, defeating Joseph Conchie 5-2 in the final of the New Zealand Open Championship at the Papatoetoe Club in Auckland.
Si Jiahui Joins Elite Club With Second Career Maximum at Championship League
Si Jiahui compiled the 243rd maximum break in snooker history during his BetVictor Championship League clash with Xu Yichen on Tuesday, doubling his career tally of 147s — though he still finished runner-up in Group 6 to Marco Fu.
Championship League Snooker 2026: Draw, Format, Schedule and How to Watch
Championship League Snooker is under way in Leicester as the first ranking event of the 2026/27 season, with world number three Zhao Xintong heading a 128-player draw and defending champion Stephen Maguire among those in contention.
John Virgo Remembered: The Night He Introduced a 16-Year-Old Ronnie O'Sullivan to the Nation
John Virgo, who passed away on 4th February 2025 aged 79, is remembered for a remarkable piece of television history: introducing a then 16-year-old Ronnie O'Sullivan to a mass BBC audience on Big Break.
Wilson Conjures Audacious Trick Shot to Complete 142 Break at Welsh Open
Kyren Wilson completed a break of 142 against Liu Hongyu at the Welsh Open with an audacious trick shot on the final black, producing one of the standout moments of the tournament so far.
Crucible to Undergo £45m Revamp as World Championship Venue Secured Until 2045
The Crucible Theatre is set for a £45 million refurbishment that will add up to 500 seats and keep the World Snooker Championship in Sheffield until at least 2045.
WPBSA Players Golf Day Returns for Third Year at Forest of Arden
The third annual WPBSA Players Golf Day took place at the Forest of Arden Country Club on 2 July, with 17 teams — including former world champions Ken Doherty, John Parrott and Stuart Bingham — competing across the championship course.
Moody and Liu Advance as Championship League Group Stage Heats Up
Stan Moody made a confident start to the 2026/27 ranking season by topping Group 30 at the Championship League Snooker in Leicester, while Liu Hongyu overcame an early stumble to claim Group 17 with a decisive win over 2025 runner-up Joe O'Connor.
Every 147 at the Crucible: The Full Record, Who Made Them and Whether They Won
Fifteen maximum 147 breaks have been made at the World Snooker Championship since Cliff Thorburn's historic first in 1983, with Ronnie O'Sullivan and Stephen Hendry jointly holding the record of three apiece.
Stan Moody: The 19-Year-Old Who Believes Snooker Must Evolve Its Star Power
Stan Moody made a commanding World Championship debut at 19, impressing on the baize against Gary Wilson while also calling for snooker to develop new faces and personalities to secure its future.
World Snooker Championship: Who Has Won the Most Titles in the Modern Era?
Ronnie O'Sullivan and Stephen Hendry share the record for the most World Snooker Championship titles in the modern era, each having won the sport's most prestigious prize seven times.
The Crucible Chair: Why Snooker's Greatest Stage Remains the Sport's Most Brutal Mental Test
Shaun Murphy described the experience of waiting helplessly in the Crucible chair as '50 times worse' than his driving test — and performance coach Chris Henry explains exactly why the World Championship's iconic venue poses a mental challenge unlike any other in snooker.
Higgins Produces One of the Great Crucible Comebacks to Eliminate O'Sullivan 13-12
John Higgins produced a stunning comeback from 9-4 down to defeat Ronnie O'Sullivan 13-12 in a final-frame thriller, reaching the World Championship quarter-finals at the Crucible.
Wu Yize Produces Crucible Classic to Deny Allen in 17-16 Thriller
Wu Yize completed a stunning 17-16 comeback victory over Mark Allen in one of the Crucible's most dramatic semi-finals, as Allen missed a match-winning black off its spot to be denied a first World Championship final appearance.
Wu Yize: From a Windowless Sheffield Flat to World Champion
Wu Yize, 22, defeated Shaun Murphy 18-17 to become World Snooker Champion — the culmination of a journey that began in a windowless Sheffield flat, shaped by family sacrifice and a mother's courage from afar.