Ricky Walden hits highest break of tournament to qualify for Championship League snooker last 32 as Wu Yize seals progress in Leicester

Ricky Walden and Wu Yize enjoyed productive outings at the Championship League in Leicester on Thursday by reaching the last 32 of the season's first ranking event at the city's Mattioli Arena. Three-time ranking event winner Walden produced the highest break of the tournament so far with a 143 in winning Group 28, as world No. 20 Wu Yize edged Craig Steadman on frame difference to top Group 9.

Wu dazzles with ‘Judd Trump special’ during stunning century against Williams

Video credit: TNT Sports

Ricky Walden tasted his first victory of the season on his way to reaching the last 32 of the Championship League in Leicester on Thursday.

After rolling in a 79 and 78 in a 3-1 win over Chang Bingyu, Walden compiled 143 - the highest break of the week so far - in a 2-2 draw with Steven Hallworth.

Further quality efforts of 121, 79 and 55 saw him top the section, three points clear of Chang, with a 3-1 triumph over former Welsh Open winner Robert Milkins.

Snooker

Selt and Walden qualify for final group as Championship League reaches penultimate day

22/07/2025 at 09:15

It is a welcome boost for Walden, who lost 5-4 to David Grace in Wuhan Open qualifying and 4-2 to Joe O'Connor in failing to qualify for the British Open.

Meanwhile, world No. 20 Wu, who lost in the finals of the English (9-7 to Neil Robertson) and Scottish Opens (9-5 to Lei Peifan) last season, edged out former Crucible qualifier Craig Steadman on frame difference to top Group 9.

Two 3-0 wins over Kreishh Gurbaxani and Wang Yuchen were enough to see Wu through after drawing 2-2 with Steadman in his group opener, an encounter that saw him produce two 90+ breaks.

Watch: Top 10 shots of 2025 World Snooker Championship

Video credit: TNT Sports

World No. 12 Zhang Anda takes to the table at 12pm BST on Friday in Group 2 against George Pragnell, Chris Totten and Cheung Ka Wai.

The Championship League runs between June 30 and July 23, with 32 groups of four producing 32 winners, who are then split into eight groups of four.

Two final groups of four will determine who contests the final on July 23, with the winner earning £33,000 and a place in the Champion of Champions event in Leicester in November.

Championship League group winners

Group 15: Stephen Maguire (Sco)
Group 26: Yao Pengcheng (Chn)
Group 3: Alfie Burden (Eng)
Group 22: Matthew Selt (Eng)
Group 25: Matthew Stevens (Wal)
Group 18: Yuan Sijun (Chn)
Group 28: Ricky Walden (Eng)
Group 9: Wu Yize (Chn)

---

Watch and stream top snooker action live and on demand on TNT Sports and discovery+

Snooker

Xu hits 147 as White denied by Donaldson in Welsh Open qualifying

07/02/2025 at 06:53

German Masters

Walden ‘hoping to play’ Welsh Open qualifying despite health scare

31/01/2025 at 18:45

Thoughts?