Zhou Yuelong Wins Championship League Group 1

Zhou Yuelong became the first player to reach the Championship League Winners’ Group after topping Group 1 in Coventry on Wednesday.

The 19 year-old, competing in the Championship League for the first time in his career, qualified from the round-robin phase with four wins from his six league encounters.

Zhou subsequently fought hard in the knockout rounds with a 3-2 victory over Ryan Day in the semi-final, followed by another deciding frame clincher against Anthony Hamilton in the final.

The Chinese youngster earned a total of £3,200 from the frames he won across the two days, plus an additional £3,000 for booking his spot in March’s Winners’ Group.

Hamilton, who netted £4,700 in total for his efforts, will gain another crack at qualifying when he takes part in Group 2 on Thursday and Friday.

2017 runner-up Day, who pocketed a bonus £1,000 for recording the highest break of the event with a superb 145 total clearance, Stephen Maguire, and Kyren Wilson all also survived the cut and will live to fight another day.

With only two wins apiece from the group stages, Mark King and Michael Holt were both eliminated from the competition.

Group 2 will introduce newcomers Mark Selby, Neil Robertson, and Barry Hawkins into the fold.

Click here to view the draw. Times: CET)