China's Xu Yichen and Zhao Hanyang both won a place on the World Snooker Tour for the first time by coming through Asia Oceania Q School – Event 2 on Saturday. The duo will join the strong Chinese contingent on the professional circuit for the 2025/26 and 2026/27 seasons.
Xu won his semi-final with a 4-3 victory over Pakistan's Babar Masih. He was 2-1 and 3-2 down but a break of 70 in frame six brought him level at 3-3. A dramatic deciding frame came down to the colours and Masih potted blue and pink to go 6 points ahead. The black was on a side cushion and he narrowly missed an attempted pot to a top corner, leaving Xu a simple chance.
Zhao had a more comfortable success, winning 4-1 against Thailand’s Narongdat Takantong. After sharing the first two frames, Zhao compiled breaks of 54 and 79 to move 3-1 ahead. Takantong had chances in frame five but Zhao eventually cleared to the black to clinch the result.
All four players graduating from this year's Asia Oceania Q School will join the pro tour for the first time, as Xu and Zhao join event one winners Chatchapong Nasa and Liu Linhao.
Our thanks go to the Billiard and Snooker Association of Thailand for running an outstanding event.