Davies Leads The Charge On Opening Day Of Wuhan Open Qualifiers

Snooker

17 June 2026

Davies Leads The Charge On Opening Day Of Wuhan Open Qualifiers

The Wuhan Open qualifiers got underway in Leicester with a mix of youthful promise, dramatic comebacks and impressive scoring as players began their quest for a place at the final stages in China.

Leading the headlines on Day 1 was Welsh youngster Liam Davies, who recovered from an early deficit to defeat Liam Pullen in an entertaining clash between two of the game’s rising stars.

Davies Wins Battle Of The Young Guns

Liam Davies made an impressive start to his Wuhan Open qualifying campaign with a 5-3 victory over Liam Pullen.

The 19-year-old Welshman regained his professional status through Q School after dropping off the tour at the end of last season and is determined to climb the rankings once again.

After falling 2-0 behind, Davies responded in style. Breaks of 97, 91 and 58 helped him claim the next three frames and seize control of the contest. Although Pullen reduced the deficit by taking the sixth frame, Davies finished strongly to secure victory and book his place in the second qualifying round.

He will now face Martin O’Donnell, with the winner earning a trip to Wuhan in August where Ding Junhui awaits.

Nayyar Makes A Winning Start

Canada’s Sahil Nayyar enjoyed an excellent opening to his campaign, defeating Northern Ireland’s Fergal Quinn 5-1.

Nayyar looked composed throughout as he continued the encouraging form he has shown in recent weeks.

Wang Celebrates Rookie Success

China’s Wang Xinbo recorded the first victory of his rookie professional season with a convincing 5-1 success over Scotland’s Liam Graham.

The young Chinese player displayed plenty of confidence and composure as he took another important step in his early career.

Gong Produces Remarkable Comeback

One of the most dramatic matches of the day saw Gong Chenzhi recover from 3-0 down to edge past Liam Highfield 5-4.

The Chinese player showed impressive resilience and scoring power, compiling breaks of 113 and 101 as he completed a superb turnaround to progress.

Mann And Miah Win Deciders

Mitchell Mann came through a tense deciding frame to defeat Ukraine’s Iulian Boiko 5-4.

Mann had trailed 4-2 before winning the final three frames to snatch victory.

There was another deciding frame success for Hammad Miah, who edged out China’s Lyu Haotian 5-4 in one of the day’s closest contests.

Hallworth Cruises Through

Steven Hallworth produced one of the standout performances of the opening day, whitewashing Thailand’s Panchaya Channoi 5-0.

Hallworth barely put a foot wrong as he eased safely into the next round.

Big Names Progress

Elsewhere, Jiang Jun defeated Jimmy White 5-3 to continue his impressive form, while Belgium’s Ben Mertens enjoyed a convincing 5-1 victory over Ashley Hugill.

Austria’s Florian Nüßle overcame David Grace 5-2, Louis Heathcote beat Paul Norris by the same scoreline, and Andrew Higginson secured a comfortable 5-2 win against Lan Yuhao.

China’s Gao Yang was among the day’s heaviest scorers as he defeated Bai Yulu 5-1, compiling breaks of 59, 91, 100, 67 and 95.

With plenty of exciting young talent on display, several dramatic finishes and a host of big names progressing, the Wuhan Open qualifiers got off to an entertaining start in Leicester.

Day 1 Results

Sam Craigie 5-3 Julien Leclercq

Huang Jiahao 5-1 Alexander Ursenbacher

Louis Heathcote 5-1 Paul Norris

Phil O’Kane 5-3 Chatchapong Nasa

Florian Nüßle 5-2 David Grace

Ben Mertens 5-1 Ashley Hugill

Jiang Jun 5-3 Jimmy White

Dylan Emery 5-2 Ng On Yee

Mitchell Mann 5-4 Iulian Boiko

Hammad Miah 5-4 Lyu Haotian

Liu Wenwei 5-3 Jamie Clarke