Mixed fortunes revealed for famous snooker legends on final day of Wuhan Open qualifying

Marco Fu, Jimmy White and Ken Doherty all took to the baize once again as they tried to win their qualifying match and claim a berth for the main venue, televised stages of the 2025 Wuhan Open which are set to be held at the end of August in China.

Three-time ranking event champion Fu recorded a stunning 5-3 victory over world number 16 Chris Wakelin during the morning session to book his ticket to the Far East.

One of Asian snooker’s greatest-ever exponents, Hong Kong’s Fu was awarded a two-year invitational World Snooker Tour card at the end of last season because of his ongoing importance and status within the sport.

Fu helped ranking event action return to Hong Kong last season with the relocation of the World Grand Prix, which brought along with it a huge boost in prize money. It was the first ranked tournament staged there since 1989.

A former UK Championship and Masters finalist, Fu has endured a difficult few years on the professional circuit with the global Covid-19 Pandemic and eye issues hampering his success.

But Fu can still produce a very mean game as he proved during the recent World Championship qualifiers when he compiled an ultra-rare 16-red total clearance. And the 47-year-old - who is in an elite club of having notched up over 500 tons in professional competition - was in brilliant scoring nick during his opening assignment of the campaign against Wakelin.

Former Shoot Out Champion Wakelin went 2-0 up but Fu replied with a barrage as breaks of 120, 68 and 136 helped him go 3-2 ahead.

A run of 59 aided Wakelin in restoring parity at 3-3, but Fu reached the hill first and then struck his third century of the tie - a 113 - to record a superb win.

Vintage Jimmy White scores heavily in qualification triumph

Another very experienced star who crafted an impressive victory on Tuesday in Leicester was White who scored freely in a 5-2 win over two-time ranking event winner Anthony McGill.

Now 63-years-old, White is taking part in his 46th consecutive season as a professional player. Like Fu, the Londoner was awarded an invitational tour card at the end of last season, and he is already putting it to good use.

World number 59 McGill secured the opening frame of the match (51 break) but White struck efforts of 92 and 80 to go 2-1 ahead.

McGill levelled it up going into the mid-session interval, but on resumption, 10-time ranking event champion White strung together three consecutive frames (90 break in frame five, 71 break in frame seven) for a fantastic start to his new term.

Next up for White in the £700,000 world ranking event is Fu in the round of 64. That contest won’t be played until the end of August, though, with the final rounds set for Wuhan between August 24-30.

Whilst it was a very pleasing day for both Fu and White, another baize legend in the shape of Ken Doherty didn’t leave the Mattioli with a win.

The 1997 World Champion is on the second year of a two-year invitational tour card, and it unclear whether the Irishman will continue to play on the sport’s top tier past the end of this season.

55-year-old Doherty was defeated 5-1 by Ben Woollaston, who top scored with a contribution of 76.

However, Doherty doesn’t have to wait long for another bite of the pro tour cherry as he is scheduled to play on Wednesday in 2025 British Open qualifying against Haris Tahir.

In fact, both Fu and White will also be engaged on Wednesday as they too aim to qualify for the televised stages in Cheltenham in September. They share the baize with Stephen Maguire and Liam Davies, respectively.

For the full draw and results from the 2025 Wuhan Open, please visit our tournament information centre here.