Couple of pieces of sad news coming out of the snooker world today.

Firstly, Bill Davis (Steve's father) has passed away.

Secondly, Willie Thorne has said that his cancer has got worse and he needs therapy

Yes, I read of both pieces of sad news within minutes of each other on Twitter last night. Really gutted for Willie, he just doesn't seem to get a break health wise lately.

Back on the table, Alfie Burden has made his first major QF I think, after 20 years as a pro. If at first you don't succeed....

I am thinking positively about Willie. My other half's dad has prostate cancer and had the treatment too. It is one of those diseases where most people die with it rather than because of it. Bill Arthur and Eddie Hemmings on Sky Rugby League coverage have both had treatment for it. So keeping everything crossed for the Great WT.

Trump continuing to fly through the rounds defeating Marco, who was seriously in form, 5-1 in about an hour. Long overdue another major is Judd...

So with Dott and Gilbert eliminated today the race to the Crucible is now perfectly straightforward:

If Maguire beats Burden tomorrow it's Ponds Forge for Ding.

So it's official then - Maguire wins 5-1 condemning Ding to three qualifying rounds at Ponds Forge. Happy birthday mate.

Ricky Walden is in good form but cannot look past a Higgins/Trump final..

Watched Snooker Mavericks last night. Some great clips from ITV snooker of old and a few interesting stories. Most we probably knew already but good nonetheless

Ricky Walden makes his second final in a week. Defeats Jiohn Higgins 6-5. Finding form at the right time

Yes i enjoyed it too

A final clash with Trump then! Now, now in the history of the China Open has won it and gone onto to way the World Championship!

Matt Huart (Pro Snooker Blog) has confirmed that Mark Selby (And indeed all of the top 16) has (have) entered the World Championship.

Good news that Selby is okay after withdrawing from the last two events.

The draw for the qualifiers (including Ding remember!) will be made on Monday at 11am live on the World Snooker YouTube channel.

I don't think so. To my mind the closest was actually Judd Trump when he won the China Open then got beaten in the world final to John Higgins. 2011 that was

I reckon Selby just wanted to stay fresh for the Worlds. Ridiculous amount of travelling in the last couple of weeks.
My money will be on him.

If it had jus my being China id be inclined to agree with you but Manchester would have been great practice

Surprisingly with two players who play the game quick like Trump and Walden, they only managed 8 of the 9 scheduled frames this morning. Ricky led 3-1 at the interval but Judd rattled in 4 in a row to lead 5-3. Up to 11 frames to play later.

Will somebody just remind me how many world titles Mike Hallett won please ?

Ronnie did back in 2000/01 but back then it was played the previous Autumn

I meant to type 'no one has gone onto the win the World Championship after winning the China Open

Yes I know but i assumed, maybe wrongly, the question was asked as the two events are back to back ( ish )

Yes in the same season but not when one follows the other is the answer 👍🏻

Looks like Judd is going to win then as eight frames in a row sees him 9-3 at the MSI. Been a poor final in truth, ultimately one sided without much scintillating snooker to get there. But credit to Trump, he's played better and lost several games this seaon

Well done to Judd Trump on winning the China Open.

Ricky Walden led 3-1, just like he did against Mark Allen last week. Both occasions he then lost the next six frames to trail 7-3!

World qualifiers are drawn tomorrow. Looking forward to when it starts on Wednesday.

welll played to trump no on to the worlds higgans for me

World Qualifiers Draw tomorrow at 11am here

https://www.youtube.com/user/WorldSnookerOfficial

Gerrard Greene for Jimmy White
Andy Hicks for Ken Doherty
Somebody I had never heard of for Ding
Fergal O Brien v Steve Davis tie of the first round draw for me