World Snooker Championship: Michael Holt sees Crucible dream ended by qualifying defeat to Xing Zihao

ByEurosport

Published 09/04/2024 at 10:45 GMT

Michael Holt will return to the main World Snooker Tour circuit next season, but the former Shoot Out winner will have to wait another year for another tilt at the World Championship after losing 10-6 to Chinese talent Xing Zihao in the first round of qualifying in Sheffield on Monday. Evergreen duo Marco Fu and Fergal O'Brien begin their respective campaigns on Tuesday.

'He's had to find something' - O'Sullivan sparkles with 125 clearance

Michael Holt will not be returning to the Crucible this year after losing 10-6 to world No. 88 Xing Zihao in the opening round of World Championship qualifying in Sheffield.

The former Shoot Out winner reached the last 16 in 2016 after stunning 2010 winner Neil Robertson 10-6 in the first round, but won't be back on the sport's biggest stage this year after world No. 90 Xing proved too strong at the English Institute of Sport on Monday.

19-year-old Xing produced breaks of 61, 58, 86, 63, 82 and 98 as he led from start to finish with former world No. 20 Holt running in four 50-plus breaks.

World Championship

O'Sullivan and Trump chase world No. 1 spot as Higgins extends record

9 minutes ago

Holt had secured a return to the professional circuit in January, earning a fresh two-year card for next season via the Q Tour, after dropping off the main circuit in 2022, but his hopes of another crack at the world title must wait until next season.

Women's world champion Bai Yulu is also out in the opening round despite fighting back from 6-2 to 9-7 behind in a 10-7 loss to world No. 104 Jensen Kendrick, who is battling to secure his tour card for next season.

Kendrick hit two centuries before completing victory by winning the 17th frame on a re-spotted black.

Meanwhile, former Crucible semi-finalist Marco Fu begins his campaign on Tuesday against former women's world champion Baipat Siripaporn with former British Open winner and Eurosport pundit Fergal O'Brien contesting his final professional event before he retires against Mostafa Dorgham.

Qualifying is staged between April 8-17 with 16 qualifiers joining the top 16 seeds in the final 32 for the Crucible in Sheffield.

The 48th World Championship begins on Saturday 20 April and runs until Monday 6 May.