The first round of the 2024 Snooker German Masters qualifiers saw intense competition. The Chinese team shone in this match, ultimately ending the first round with a record of 5 wins and 2 losses, with Bai Yulu, Jiang Jun, Gong Chen Zhi, Xing Zi Hao, and Zhang Jia Wei successfully advancing to the second round, while Huang Jia Hao and Fu Jia Jun were unfortunately eliminated.
In this round of matches, Lei Pei Fan's game was postponed to the early hours of December 18 due to his tight schedule after winning the Scottish Open title. Meanwhile, other venues also witnessed many exciting encounters. British teenage prodigy Stan Moody continued to display his strong form, former World Championship winner Doherty advanced smoothly, while Jimmy White failed to qualify after being overturned by Leclaire.
One of today's most eye-catching highlights was undoubtedly Bai Yulu's performance. Facing English player Liam Prean, Bai Yulu once trailed 0-3, with a very severe situation. However, she did not give up easily, fighting back to win two consecutive games, and eventually succeeded in reversing the game with a score of 5-4, advancing to the second round. This victory is particularly significant for Bai Yulu, as it marks her first entry into the second round of the qualifiers following the UK Championship and Scottish Open.
In another Chinese derby, Jiang Jun defeated Huang Jia Hao with a score of 5-1, advancing easily. Jiang Jun's state can be described as fiery, especially his four breaks over 50, with one break of 133 points being particularly impressive, showcasing his excellent competitive level and strong mental quality. Previously, he defeated World Champion Brechel at the Nanjing National Championship, demonstrating his continuously rising competitive state. We are full of expectations for the future of this young player.
Similarly, Xing Zi Hao maintained good form, defeating Mitchell Mann 5-1 easily. Xing Zi Hao's performance is commendable, with stable play of three breaks over 50, especially single rod scores of 77 points and 76 points, leaving a deep impression.
Stan Moody continued his fiery form, sweeping El Said 5-0 to maintain an undefeated record. He scored 133 points in the game, showing astonishing attacking ability and powerful game rhythm. Whether from a technical perspective or in terms of game control, Stan Moody performed exceptionally well, making people look forward to his future performance.
Doherty's match against Oliver Lines was suspenseful, with Doherty leading 4-0 at the start, but Lines fought back hard, winning four consecutive games, ultimately dragging the match into a decisive game. At the critical moment, Doherty steadied himself with a shot of 66 points, advancing with a score of 5-4, demonstrating his experienced match skills and strong mental quality.
For Jimmy White, although he made good shots of 50 points and 65 points in the game, he could not withstand Leclaire's counterattack, ultimately losing 2-5. Despite his advanced age, Jimmy White still maintains an indomitable fighting spirit, but unfortunately, he could not bring more surprises to the fans today.
Overall, the Chinese team achieved a clean sweep, with five players advancing to the second round. This not only demonstrates the strong strength of Chinese players on the snooker stage but also allows us to see the steady improvement of young players like Jiang Jun and Xing Zi Hao. As the competition progresses, the upcoming events will further test the competitive state and psychological quality of the players. Whether these young players can continue to break through themselves and break old patterns is something we should continue to pay attention to.
As the event enters the second round, more exciting matchups are about to take place, and the players' performances will directly determine whether they can advance to the main event. Whether it's the resurgence of veterans or the rise of new stars, they will all become the biggest highlights of the upcoming German Masters qualifiers.