Bai Yulu wins thriller on final black against Joshua Thomond to reach last 32 at snooker Q School, Michael Holt advances

Bai Yulu claimed the final two frames against Joshua Thomond to complete a thrilling 4-3 comeback win and book her place in the last 32 of Q School in Leicester.

The 19-year-old women’s British Open champion finalised victory on the final black just before midnight on Sunday to set up a meeting with Simon Bedford on Monday evening, the penultimate day of Event Two of the 208-player tournament.

Bai produced breaks of 59 and 75 with Thomond compiling 76 in the fifth frame, but it was the Chinese player who held her nerve superbly to edge a taut decider by two points.

Elsewhere, Michael Holt advanced to the third round of Event Two with a 4-0 whitewash of Muhammad Aurangzaib that saw him produce runs of 57, 81 and 68.

He will face Daan Leyssen in the last 64 on Monday afternoon as he bids to keep alive his hopes of a rapid return to the main circuit a year after losing his tour card.

“I have to deal with that situation and crack on. The coaching is going alright. Ultimately I still see myself as a player, because when I practice the level is more than there. I will keep going.

“I have to think about things because I have a family and that is life. I might not get back on. I am aware of that, but until I can’t play to the level I always have to try. I know there is a big world out there, so we will see.”

World Seniors finalist Alfie Burden remains in the hunt to regain his card after a 4-2 win over Andrew Tapper that sets up a last-64 meeting with Alex Taubman on Monday.

The second tournament runs until Tuesday with four more tour cards available for reaching the last four.

A player entering in round one has win six matches to earn their card with those coming in at the second stage needing five wins from the best-of-seven-frame contests.

Four tour cards are also available from the 128-player Asia and Oceania Q School events which run between 1-12 June and is open to citizens of the regions.

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