'I considered retiring' – Zhang Anda secures top-16 spot as Ronnie O'Sullivan enjoys snooker rankings boost

ByEurosport

Updated 13/11/2023 at 12:39 GMT

Zhang Anda and Tom Ford have both moved inside the world's top 16 for the first time in their respective careers after Zhang's 10-6 final win over Ford at the International Championship on Sunday. Both men will also avoid having to qualify for the UK Championship in York later this month due to their success in Tianjin. There is also good news in the rankings for world No. 1 Ronnie O'Sullivan.

'Take a bow!' - Zhang knocks in superlative 147 in International Championship final v Ford

Zhang Anda claimed his maiden ranking title triumph at the International Championship only three years after he was ready to quit the sport.

Zhang hit the second 147 break of his career during his 10-6 win over Tom Ford in Sunday's final in Tianjin during his run to the title that saw him claim victories against Mark Williams (6-3), Ding Junhui (6-3) and world No. 1 Ronnie O'Sullivan (9-6).

He lifted the International title a month after blowing a 7-3 lead in a 9-7 loss to Judd Trump in the English Open final in Brentwood.

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“I’m feeling extremely excited," Zhang told reporters. "During the pandemic, I had considered retiring and giving up. But later on, I couldn’t bear it and chose to return to the arena. I have been doing quite well in the past two or three years.

“The English Open had a significant impact on my improvement. When facing a disadvantage, I tell myself not to slack off.

"The English Open final taught me a valuable lesson, and provided a great experience. This time, I maintained my focus because the opponent could have come back at any moment."

'What a performance!' - Watch as Zhang seals title in Ford clash

31-year-old Zhang's £175,000 winner's cheque sees him moves up from 37 to a career-high 15 in the latest rankings list.

The man nicknamed 'Mighty Mouse' – who turned professional in 2009 – is the highest-ranked player from China in the world with his success also securing him a spot at the York Barbican for the UK Championship later this month (November 25-3 December live on Eurosport and discovery+).

Zhang also qualifies for this week's invitational Champions of Champions in Bolton and will face a rematch with defending champion O'Sullivan on Wednesday afternoon.

Ford's consolation in defeat sees him reach the top 16 for the first time in his 21-year professional career.

As a result of Zhang and Ford's performance in China, several former top-16 figures will have to qualify for the UK Championship, including Ding, Hossein Vafaei, Anthony McGill, Stuart Bingham and Stephen Maguire.

Ford knocks in back-to-back centuries to lead Brown for first time

Meanwhile, O'Sullivan's run to the International Championship semi-finals is set to secure his World Grand Prix place in Leicester (15-21 January) with a spot in the Players Championship (19-25 February) in Telford also on the cards.

He earned £33,000 in Tianjin and is up to 10th on the one-year list with the top 32 qualifying for the Grand Prix and the top 16 securing a Players spot.

There are three more counting ranking events at the UK Championship, Shoot Out and Scottish Open before the starting list for the Grand Prix is finalised.