Ronnie O’Sullivan dropped out of Championship League snooker in the second group stage after a shock loss to young Chinese talents Yuan Shijun and Pan Junsu.
The world champions joined the group with Yuan, Pan and longtime rival Ali Carter, and the Rockets had a chance to advance before facing the captain in the final group game.
O’Sullivan managed just one frame in two games against a Chinese star, losing to the former Pan 3-0 and then to Pan 3-1. This is because the youngsters continued to battle their way to the final stage on Friday.
After finishing the job, Pan, 22, has a chance to win his first ranking title on Friday.
In Group 2 on Wednesday, Zhao Shin-dori secured progress by defeating Chang Bing-gyu and Gary Wilson 3-0.
The British champion beat Chan to make the best break in the tournament at 145, followed by Wilson at 123 and 101.
The landslide victory and Mark Allen losing first to Wilson meant that the final battle of the group between Zhao and Allen failed to eliminate the Cyclone from the top spot. The game ended 2-2 and was done by both men for ages.
The early-season, short-form event showcases the minefields of top players, with O’Sullivan and Allen following early tournament brands like Mark Williams, Judd Trump, Mark Selby and Keelen Wilson.
Chinese players have dominated the Championship League this summer, with three of the other four players already booked for Friday’s finals, with Lu Ning, Lu Haotian and Xiao Guodong.
Stuart Bingham, who was selected for Group C on Tuesday, is the only player yet to arrive from China.
Neither of the last two groups in the second stage are involved, so the Chinese players will not advance on Thursday.
Sean Murphy, Ricky Walden, Anthony Hamilton and Elliot Slessor are in Group G, while Luca Brecel, Chris Wakelin, Jamie Clark and Daniel Wells are in Group B.
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Source: Metro
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