Tension and Triumph: A Look at the World Championship Qualifying Rounds for Snooker

Hossein Vafaei, the world number 19, had a rough start losing the opening three frames against 18-year-old Jiang Jun from China. However, Vafaei recovered and went on to win 10-5, securing his place at the Crucible for a third successive year. David Gilbert, the 2019 semi-finalist from England, defeated China’s Xiao Guodong 10-6, while Si Jiahui of China, who reached the last four in 2023, made a comeback from being 4-0 down to beat fellow countryman Wu Yize 10-4.

Jones took an early lead with a 5-4 advantage after the first session, but Robertson won four frames in a row to put himself within two frames of qualification for the World Championship. However, Jones battled back and managed to qualify for the championship for the fifth time. The world number 41 expressed his satisfaction with his performance, stating that the tournament brings out the best in him. Joe O’Connor qualified for the first time and will be the only debutant at this year’s competition after winning 10-8 against Matthew Selt in a late match that finished at 23:30 BST.

Iran’s Hossein Vafaei had a rough start losing the opening three frames against Jiang Jun from China. However, Vafaei recovered and went on to win 10-5, securing his place at