Following a treble of successive winnings at the Championship League in Leicester, Zhao Xintong has prioritized achieving the top spot in world rankings with this season’s first ranking series on the horizon.

With play going on at the Morning-side Arena, Zhao dropped just a frame in a contest with Micheal Holt as he catapulted himself to the top of group 4. Zhao also claimed back-to-back 3-0 wins over Adam Duffy and Hammad Miah, respectively.

Speaking after the game, the Chinese revealed he doesn’t want to think much after his first game as he aims to get his goal.

“Getting these wins was so important for me, and I just want to take every game one after the other and enjoy myself playing at the table.”

“The goal is to be better than the previous years, and I am willing to give my very best in making this a reality by winning games and tournaments. ” He added

Elsewhere, Antony Hamilton secured safe passage to the round of 32 as seven points were enough to see him top Group 31.

The former German Master’s winner was impressive in the game against Noppon Saengkham, which oozed a champion’s performance.

Others through to the next stage are former Gilbratar Open champion Robert Milkins and Aaron Hill, who all won their respective games on Tuesday.

The next stage will see the 32 winners head to head on the 25-27th of July, and the final will be decided on the 29th of the same month.

This year’s 2022-2023 19th edition of the snooker Champi0nship currently held in Leicester will be the first ranking event for the snooker calendar year, and the prize winner will receive a sum of £20,000 with the runner-up to get half of the tournament-winning amount (£10,000).

Written by: Akinnifesi Olumide