Bai Yulu advances to the last 64 of Q School after an impressive win at Event Two

 

Bai Yulu, the 19-year-old Chinese snooker player, has advanced to the last 32 of Q School 2023 in Leicester after benefiting from a favorable draw at Event Two. Bai, who won the Women’s British Open earlier this year, is emerging as a new star in women’s snooker.

In the snooker match, Cosker won the first frame but then lost the next four frames to the World Championship finalist, who finished with breaks of 50 and 61. This win secured her progress and a match against Joshua Thomond or Jamie Curtis-Barrett for a last-32 spot at the Morningside Arena on Sunday evening.

Bai, who was defeated 6-3 by Baipat Siripaporn of Thailand in the women’s world final in March, was scheduled to face Welshman Andrew Pagett on Saturday. However, Bai has now received a bye to the third round after Pagett’s withdrawal.

To secure her place on the main circuit for the 2023/24 and 2024/25 seasons, the 19-year-old Chinese player must win four more matches.

In an impressive first match of Event Two, Ukraine teenager Iulian Boiko whitewashed James Height 4-0 with an impressive display of snooker, including knocks of 68, 90, and 56. Despite narrowly losing 4-2 to Pagett in the final round of Event One on Wednesday, Boiko is feeling confident and eager to continue his winning streak.

Meanwhile, Craig Steadman, who narrowly defeated Bai 4-3 in the second round of Event One, secured a 4-2 win over Jake Crofts in his opening match of Event Two. Fellow Englishman Stuart Carrington also put on a dominant display, whitewashing Pommy Kang 4-0. Both Steadman and Carrington are determined to regain their tour cards after finishing outside the top 64 on the ranking list last season and are confident in their abilities to succeed.

In addition to Andrew Pagett, Alexander Ursenbacher, Andrew Higginson, and Liam Pullen also successfully secured their place on the main circuit from Event One at the highly competitive 208-player competition.

Collins Nwokolo