Three-time champion Neil Robertson might have to qualify for this season’s UK Championship after his progress at the International Championship ended in Nanjing.
The Australian compiled four fantastic century breaks in a resounding 6-0 drubbing of Fan Zhengyi in the round of 64.
But not for the first time over the course of the last few seasons, Robertson was unable to back up a strong display with another.
He duly suffered a one-sided 6-1 reverse against Barry Hawkins in the last 32, a run that secures him just £9,000 in prize money.
That is enough to provisionally elevate his ranking into the top 16 of the world rankings, which as things stand would see him seal an automatic berth at the Barbican Centre in York.
But several players, including Hawkins, lead the chasing pack who are still in the hunt at this week’s ranking event and therefore remain in contention to break into the top 16 at Robertson’s expense.
Recent Wuhan Open champion Xiao Guodong is the competitor in prime position to do so, with the Chinese cueist standing one win away from usurping Robertson’s rolling two-year tally.
Hawkins needs two victories in order to upset the order, and should both he and Xiao reach the International Championship semi-finals, they’ll not only send Robertson to the UK Championship qualifiers but Jak Jones as well.
An appearance in the final for either Jack Lisowski or Chris Wakelin would bring them into contention, while Chinese duo Pang Junxu and Lyu Haotian would break into the top 16 for the first time in their careers by securing the £175,000 champion’s cheque and a maiden ranking title.
Race to the UK Championship
| Provisional Rank | Player | Provisional Points | Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 | Jak Jones | £352,900 | X |
| 16 | Neil Robertson | £350,550 | X |
| — | — | — | — |
| 17 | Xiao Guodong | £344,000 | At least QF |
| 19 | Barry Hawkins | £336,550 | At least SF |
| 20 | Jack Lisowski | £317,900 | At least final |
| 21 | Chris Wakelin | £310,800 | At least final |
| 26 | Pang Junxu | £262,400 | Title |
| 33 | Lyu Haotian | £187,300 | Title |
Jackson Page, Xu Si, and Jiang Jun are other lower-ranked players still involved in Nanjing, but they are too far back to challenge for a top 16 place in time for the UK Championship.
Both Neil Robertson, and to a somewhat lesser extent Jak Jones, will be hoping that the higher-ranked players can dominate proceedings for the remainder of this week’s action.
Hawkins encounters world champion Kyren Wilson in the last 16, but Xiao has a more presentable task in the form of the unpredictable Lisowski.
By the end of Wednesday’s play, the eight quarter-finalists at the 2024 International Championship will be known.
Live coverage for Irish and United Kingdom viewers is available on discovery+ and Eurosport.
2024 International Championship
Wednesday, November 6th
Last 16 (bo11)
6:30am UTC
Lyu Haotian vs John Higgins
Chris Wakelin vs Mark Williams
Pang Junxu vs Jackson Page
Judd Trump vs Xu Si
11:30am UTC
Jack Lisowski vs Xiao Guodong
Gary Wilson vs Mark Selby
Jiang Jun vs Ding Junhui
Barry Hawkins vs Kyren Wilson
Click here to view the full draw
(snooker.org)
Featured photo credit: WST
The UK Championship giving seeds to the top 16 continues to spice up the whole event with extra interest as well as increased kudos. It’s been a good change. Neil Robertson seems like he can beat anyone and lose to anyone ATM.