UK Snooker Championship: Three-time winner Ding Junhui among first qualifiers
- Published
Ding Junhui won the UK Championship in 2005, 2009 and 2019
UK Snooker Championship |
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Venue: Barbican Centre, York Dates: 25 November - 3 December |
BBC coverage: Watch live on BBC One, BBC Two, BBC Red Button and BBC iPlayer, as well as the BBC Sport website and app |
Three-time winner Ding Junhui has booked a place at the UK Snooker Championship by winning in qualifying on Wednesday.
World number 17 Ding, who lost 10-7 to Mark Allen in last year's final, beat Robbie Williams 10-7 in Leicester.
The world's top 16 qualify for the main draw as seeds for the last 32, which begins in York on Saturday.
Wednesday's other qualifiers included Jamie Clarke, a last-16 loser to Ding last year, who upset David Gilbert 6-5.
Fellow Welshman Jamie Jones beat Zak Surety 6-4 while Matthew Selt overcame Lyu Haotian 6-3 and Anthony McGill cruised to a 6-2 win over Anthony Hamilton.
Noppon Saengkham unintentionally potted the final red while trying to escape a snooker, which clinched the final frame against Wu Yize and a 6-4 victory at Morningside Arena.
Fellow Thai Thepchaiya Un-Nooh beat Ricky Walden 6-3 while Fan Zhengyi edged a 6-5 win over Michael White.
The last eight qualifiers will be decided in Leicester on Thursday, with 2004 winner Stephen Maguire, who lost the 2019 final to Ding, among those hoping to reach the main draw.