‘Perfect event’ – Ricky Walden makes solid start to new season at Championship League snooker
Ricky Walden made a winning start to the new season by topping Group 15 to reach the last 32 of the Championship League in Leicester.
Walden made breaks of 71 and 60 in a 3-1 win against Andy Lee to open his account for the campaign.
He drew 2-2 with the evergreen Northern Irishman Gerard Greene before a timely 106 helped him complete a 3-1 victory against Jackson Page to finish on seven points at the Morningside Arena.
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“I played well today, your first games since last season are always tricky coming back. I’m delighted to get through,” said the three-time ranking event winner.
I’ve not picked the cue up other than a few exhibitions so this is the perfect event to come back and get some of that rust off.
“The game against Gerard was a tough one, I think we’d both admit we didn’t play our best, but I knew if I lost it, I was done for the day.
“I said to myself that if I stick in there and get a draw you never know. In the end, it turned out I didn’t need a win in my last game.
“Now I’m in the winners’ group it’s great, it’s only going to set me up for a better season, if I can get to the back end of tournaments like last season then I’m going to be in a strong position.”
Xiao Guodong compiled a break of 112 in a 3-1 victory against women’s world champion Mink Nutcharut on his way to winning Group 32.
The former Shanghai Masters finalist also completed 3-1 wins over Rod Lawler – compiling knocks of 103, 83 and 64 – and Scott Donaldson respectively to complete a perfect record in topping the section.
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Latest Championship League group winners
- Group 24: Robert Milkins (Eng)
- Group 13: Aaron Hill (Ire)
- Group 4: Zhao Xintong (Chn)
- Group 31: Anthony Hamilton (Eng)
- Group 6: Michael Judge (Ire)
- Group 26: Chris Wakelin (Eng)
- Group 10: Luca Brecel (Bel)
- Group 29: Lu Ning (Chn)
- Group 1: Ronnie O’Sullivan (Eng)
- Group 27: Jamie Jones (Wal)
- Group 15: Ricky Walden (Eng)
- Group 32: Xiao Guodong (Chn)
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