In the small green world of snooker, every shot is a profound contest of wisdom and skill, and each match carries the passionate dreams and pursuit of glory for the players. On January 7, 2025, the second group event of the Snooker Champion League unfolded, instantly becoming the focus of snooker enthusiasts around the globe, especially the journey of Chinese players on the court, tightly gripping the hearts of thousands of fans.
Inside the competition venue, the lights are like a gentle and bright veil, evenly falling on the neatly arranged snooker tables. The emerald green baize is like a tranquil dreamy lake, waiting for the players to stir up ripples with their cues. The audience, filled with expectations, file in one after another, find their seats, and then quietly immerse themselves in the tense and exciting atmosphere before the game, as if they can hear the crisp sound of billiard balls colliding in advance, slightly trembling in the air.
The unique format of this invitational version of the Snooker Champion League is divided into 7 groups throughout the process, like 7 miniature battlefields. The first round-robin stage is the "points grab" for the players, with 3 points firmly in hand for each win, which is the key chip to stand firm within the group; once defeated, they can only return empty-handed, earning 0 points. After this fierce battle, the top four players in each group can knock on the door of the group elimination stage. The group champion also bears a special mission, to advance to the championship group and join the other 6 group champions in launching an assault on the supreme championship trophy, thus fully demonstrating the domineering name of the "Champion League." As for the players ranked second to fourth in the group, although they miss the opportunity to directly enter the championship group, they still hold the "entry ticket" to fight again in the next group event, still having the chance to impact the top spot in the group; those players ranked at the bottom can only bid farewell to this championship league journey with regret.
In the first group event that concluded first, Iranian player Vafaei shone brilliantly, topping the group with his extraordinary performance. Chinese player Pang Junxu was also eye-catching, performing outstandingly in the first group round-robin stage, overpowering many opponents to take the lead, instantly becoming the focus of heated discussion among fans. Unfortunately, in the group semi-finals, he met Jack Jones, a "tough nut," after a tough battle, he finally lost with a score of 1-3, narrowly missing the direct promotion to the championship group. Fortunately, the event rules gave him a new opportunity, obtaining the qualification to participate in the second group, allowing him to reorganize and prove himself again.
The second group arena is known as the gathering place of masters, a "Hua Shan Lun Jian" where experts gather. In addition to Pang Junxu, there are also Jack Jones and Ryan Day who successfully broke through from the first group, strong players like Si Jiahui, Weikelin, and Milkins, as well as experienced "Captain" Carter, all eager to compete, harboring championship dreams, and stirring up thrilling battles on the table one after another.
Si Jiahui's journey this time can be described as a stunning comeback. In the first battle against Carter, he seemed not to have adjusted to his best state at the beginning, appearing somewhat restrained in front of the table, and his shots were less sharp than usual. Carter, with rich experience, seized this fleeting opportunity, played steadily, and took the first city with a score of 3-1. However, Si Jiahui did not sink into despair, quickly adjusted his mentality, and started a surprising winning streak.
When facing Milkins, Si Jiahui was like entering a state of "no self," his eyes tightly locked onto every ball on the table, the firmness in his eyes was tangible. Before each shot, he would observe the position and line of the ball like a precision instrument, and when he made the shot, his movements were smooth and fluid, completing it in one go. During a long-range attack, he stood steady, set up his cue, took a deep breath, and then exerted force vigorously, the cue ball shot out like a wild horse breaking free from its reins, accurately hitting the target ball, accompanied by the cheers of the audience, the target ball fell into the pocket. Finally, he defeated Milkins 3-1, taking the first step of his winning streak.
Encountering Weikelin, the situation became more and more intense. The two sides went back and forth, the scores crisscrossed, and each game was suspenseful. In several key games, Si Jiahui showed the demeanor of a general, with excellent psychological quality and superb skills. In one game, the situation on the table was as complicated as tangled hemp, Si Jiahui pondered for a moment, resolutely chose a high-difficulty positioning shot. He closed his eyes slightly, adjusted his breathing, then gently pushed the cue, and the cue ball seemed to have gained sentience, cleverly bypassing numerous obstacles, stopping steadily at the perfect shooting point, instantly taking control of the game initiative, and won a close victory with a score of 3-2, maintaining his winning momentum.
When facing Ryan Day, Si Jiahui's state became even more fiery, moving nimbly on the table like an agile leopard. When attacking, he unleashed full firepower, each shot carrying a thousand catties of force, with precise angles. At the moment of the opening shot, the red balls scattered like fireworks, he struck while the iron was hot, continuously attacking, the cue ball galloped across the table, and one by one the target balls fell into the pockets, making Ryan Day somewhat unable to cope, and finally won with a score of 3-1, further consolidating his group advantage.
When encountering compatriot Pang Junxu, Si Jiahui did not show any mercy. He knew the cruelty of the court, every game is a matter of life and death, and he must give his all. In the game, his offense and defense were impeccable, impenetrable in defense, making it difficult for Pang Junxu to attack; when the opportunity to attack came, he struck decisively, leaving no room for Pang Junxu to catch his breath, cleanly and neatly winning 3-0.
The duel with Jack Jones was even more suspenseful. Both sides tried their best, with the scores biting tightly. Si Jiahui always maintained a calm mind, and at critical moments, relying on his rich experience and superb skills, made accurate decisions. In the decisive stage, there were only a few key balls left on the table, the situation was delicate. Si Jiahui scrutinized for a moment,冒险一击，the cue ball under his exquisite control, accurately hit the target ball, as the target ball fell into the pocket, he also defeated his opponent 3-2 with five consecutive victories, locking the top spot in the group.
In the semi-finals, meeting Weikelin again, this confrontation was a do-or-die battle for both sides, not daring to slack off in the slightest. The competition was extremely fierce, the scores alternated, Si Jiahui encountered difficulties, but gritted his teeth and refused to give up, constantly adjusting tactics and mentality. In a crucial game, he achieved a reversal under the trailing situation, each shot was filled with strength and determination, and finally defeated Weikelin again with a score of 3-2, advancing to the final with his head held high.
On the final stage, Si Jiahui and Jack Jones engaged in the ultimate showdown, with everyone's attention focused here, the audience dared not breathe, tensely watching the progress of the game. Si Jiahui continued his fiery form, attacking like a storm, defending like a wall of copper and iron. Jack Jones was not to be outdone, relying on his experience and skills to stubbornly resist. In the closing stages, the scores fell into a stalemate again, and Si Jiahui stabilized his mind at a critical moment, calmly analyzed the situation, and selected the optimal shooting plan. With a decisive strike, he hit it steadily, and then relied on his stable performance to kill his opponent 3-2, winning 7 consecutive victories, being honored as the group champion, and successfully advancing to the championship group.
In stark contrast to Si Jiahui's brilliant performance is Pang Junxu's desolate journey. In the first battle against Carter, Pang Junxu was full of fighting spirit, although he fell behind at the beginning, he actively adapted on the court, trying his best to find opportunities for offense. In one game, he staged a desperate counterattack, achieving a reversal with sharp offense and tenacious defense, finally winning a hard-fought victory with a score of 3-2, giving the audience a thrill.
However, in subsequent matches, it seemed like getting stuck in the mud. Against Jack Jones, Pang Junxu's state took a sharp turn for the worse, showing panic on the court, and the accuracy of his shots dropped significantly. Jack Jones took advantage of the situation to launch a fierce attack, playing steadily with just the right rhythm control, Pang Junxu was overwhelmed and eventually suffered a crushing defeat with a score of 0-3.
Immediately following the match against Ryan Day, the situation did not improve. Ryan Day had comprehensive skills and impenetrable defense, Pang Junxu's offense was hindered, and he could never find a breakthrough, as his opponent continued to expand his scoring advantage, he was ultimately shut out with a score of 0-3, making his situation even more difficult.
Facing Weikelin, Pang Junxu tried to adjust,