2024 Xi'an Grand Prix snooker: Neil Robertson claims China qualification

Credit: Getty Images/Alex PantlingCredit: Getty Images/Alex Pantling
Credit: Getty Images/Alex Pantling | Getty Images/Alex Pantling
Neil Robertson is set to be in China next month for the final rounds of the inaugural World Snooker Tour Xi'an Grand Prix after he defeated Allan Taylor 5-2 at the Mattioli Arena in Leicester.

Robertson - who has claimed four ranking titles in China - produced breaks of 137 and 131 during his victory on Thursday night.

A winner of snooker’s career Triple Crown, world number 27 Robertson is looking to climb back up the rankings having fallen outside the top 16 bracket last season. The Australian will face either Yuan Sijun or Bai Yulu in the last 64 in the Far East.

Elsewhere in the session, Hossein Vafaei top scored with a 102 as he saw off Ahmed Elsayed 5-1, while Jack Lisowski recorded the same result over Ross Muir. Matthew Stevens whitewashed Andrew Higginson, 5-0.

David Gilbert maintained his very good form as he registered runs of 113 and 100 in a 5-1 success against 12-time world women’s snooker champion Reanne Evans.

In an all-Welsh encounter, Dylan Emery - who is currently competing as an amateur - defeated recent Championship League finalist Jackson Page, 5-2.

Belgian youngster Ben Mertens can make travel plans for next month as he ousted amateur Simon Blackwell 5-4 in a contest that began in the afternoon and had to resume a few hours later for an unscheduled second session to play the deciding frame.

The final winner of the evening was Dominic Dale who ousted Mohamed Shehab 5-4; United Arab Emirates cueist Shehab had recovered from 3-0 and 4-3 down.

Round one action in the 2024 Xi’an Grand Prix ranking event continues on Friday and Saturday. Several first round matches have been held over to the main venue in China, including fixtures including Mark Allen, Kyren Wilson and Ronnie O’Sullivan.

For reports on today’s morning and afternoon sessions, please click on the respective links.

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