Analysis

World snooker rankings update and analysis after the 2024 Wuhan Open

Zhang Anda is into the world’s top 10 for the first time. Photo: Alex Pantling/Getty ImagesZhang Anda is into the world’s top 10 for the first time. Photo: Alex Pantling/Getty Images
Zhang Anda is into the world’s top 10 for the first time. Photo: Alex Pantling/Getty Images | Alex Pantling/Getty Images
Xiao Guodong is up to a career-high world ranking of 18th following his maiden ranking event title victory at the recent 2024 Wuhan Open.

The £140,000 first prize that Xiao collected pushed him up 11 places in the latest World Snooker Tour standings and on the cusp of breaking into the top 16.

The 35-year-old is less than £10,000 off the sport's elite bracket and will look to reach it for the first time over the coming weeks with seeding for the UK Championship and qualification for the Masters on the horizon in upcoming months.

The top 16

A semi-finalist in Wuhan when no-one else from inside the world's top 12 made that stage, Judd Trump further strengthens his huge lead at the top of the rankings. The world number one is now over £500,000 clear of World Champion Kyren Wilson who is in second place.

There were no changes to the top nine in the rankings. Zhang Anda (up to 10th) and Ali Carter (up to 11th) each rise a position, while Gary Wilson drops down two to 12th.

For Zhang, it is the first time he has breached the top ten; he is now directly behind Ding Junhui and could become China's number one very soon.

Runner-up in Wuhan, Si Jiahui remains 13th in the order, but he has really consolidated his position within the 16 and can look upwards instead of over his shoulder.

Having temporarily dropped outside of the 16, Crucible finalist Jak Jones goes back into it as he moves up two spots to 15th. Neil Robertson clings on to 16th.

Positions 17 to 32

The player coming out of the top 16 is Tom Ford who has gone down two steps to 17th.

David Gilbert and Robert Milkins each drop a couple of places, while seven cueists move down one spot having all been leapfrogged by Wuhan champion Xiao.

Recent English Open runner-up Wu Yize is up two to 30th, while Joe O'Connor remains just inside this secondary tier in 32nd.

Positions 33 to 64

There are no huge shifts within this bracket, although the resurgent Ben Woollaston is up four to 47th courtesy of a last 16 run in the Far East. Martin O'Donnell - who is in the second year of a fresh tour card - moves forward three to 53rd.

Joe Perry (now 49th) and Daniel Wells (now 58th) each scrolled down by three.

Outside the top 64

Despite it being a long way off, several players will be keeping an eye on the top 64, with all those within these places at the end of the season guaranteed to keep their professional status for the 2025/26 campaign.

Wuhan local Long Zehuang - a second-season professional - over trebled his previous highest payday on the circuit with his run to the semi-finals of his home event. The £30,000 purse boosts him up four places to 66th.

Long is now £11,000 off the top 64, but he will not have any money coming off his total for the remainder of this season due to the two-year rolling cycle system.

Another route to stay on tour is via the one-year (seasonal) list. The top four players who aren't in the top 64 of the main world rankings will each earn a fresh two-year card, although they will all reset to zero ranking points for the new season. Long is currently top of this particular list.

Others making strides upwards include Hammad Miah (up five to 75th), Stan Moody (up four to 78th), Zak Surety (up six to 90th) and Duane Jones (up 11 to 91st). However, Surety and Jones are both in the first season of a new tour card so will be safe for next term, regardless.

Many thanks to snooker.org for providing an unofficial update of the world rankings. Their rankings list can be viewed here.

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