Zhao Xintong and Pang Junxu became the latest players to reach Stage Three of the Championship League on Wednesday in Leicester.
The latter secured a 3-1 victory over Ali Carter in his opening fixture and followed it up with a similar scoreline in an excellent defeat of world champion Ronnie O’Sullivan.
That result left O’Sullivan rock bottom of Group A and already out of the competition after two rounds of fixtures in the round robin.
Instead, first place was to be determined by the outcome of Pang’s last encounter with fellow Chinese competitor Yuan Sijun.
Yuan won the opening frame in a match he needed to win in order to usurp his countryman, but Pang won the next two to guarantee the point he required to advance.
Meanwhile, Zhao Xintong orchestrated a similar avenue through Group D as he emerged with top spot and seven points as well.
Zhao whitewashed Chang Bingyu at the start of the day’s play, helped by an excellent career-high break of 145.
The UK champion backed it up with another 3-0 success against Gary Wilson, and his superior frame difference meant that he was already through.
Nevertheless, the 25 year-old scored breaks of 101 and 87 in a 2-2 draw with Northern Ireland’s Mark Allen to assure that nobody could catch him.
It means that five out of the six qualifiers for the third and final stage of this Championship League are from China.
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Zhao Xintong and Pang Junxu join Xiao Guodong, Lu Ning, and Lyu Haotian in Friday’s final day of the tournament, with Stuart Bingham the only non-Chinese contender so far.
That final lineup of eight will be completed after Thursday’s action with the remaining couple of groups from Stage Two to be played.
Shaun Murphy is in Group G alongside Ricky Walden, Anthony Hamilton, and Elliot Slessor, while Luca Brecel fronts Group B with Chris Wakelin, Jamie Clarke, and Daniel Wells.
Live coverage is available on FreeSports and Matchroom.Live in the UK and Ireland, and by various other means around the world.
Click here to view the draw (times: CET)
Featured photo credit: WST
