Matthew Stevens vows to extend golden snooker career after winning start to season at Championship League

Matthew Stevens aims to bring up his 30th year at the top in style after making a winning start to the new campaign at the Championship League.

The two-time world finalist won Group 15 on Tuesday at the season’s first ranking event in Leicester’s Morningside Arena.

Stevens completed victories over Duane Jones and Allen Taylor with a 3-1 defeat to group top seed Stuart Bingham, the 2015 world champion, not enough to prevent the Welshman from advancing to the last 32.

“I was a bit in and out today. I started well in my first match, but I was lucky that Duane struggled against me and let me off the hook, which made the difference in the end. But all in all, I felt okay.”

Former German Masters champion Anthony Hamilton showed his evergreen class on the green baize by claiming top spot in Group 28 boosted by two century breaks.

The Nottingham man completed a 3-0 win over Xing Zihao with 2-2 draws against Ryan Thomerson and Ben Mertens respectively enough to seal his progress by a point ahead of Xing.

The tournament carries total prize money of £328,000 with the final on Friday July 21 also worth a spot in the final stage of the Champion of Champions in November.

Zhou Yuelong, Jak Jones and Jamie Jones take to the table on Wednesday as the action continues.

World No. 1 Ronnie O’Sullivan is due to begin his campaign on Monday.

Championship League latest group winners

• Group 3: Ashley Carty (Eng)
• Group 30: Daniel Wells (Wal)
• Group 11: Martin O’Donnell (Eng)
• Group 21: Chris Wakelin (Eng)
• Group 10: Michael White (Wal)
• Group 22: Robbie Williams (Eng)
• Group 5: Kyren Wilson (Eng)
• Group 29: Thepchaiya Un-Nooh (Tha)
• Group 6: Mark Williams (Wal)
• Group 27: Barry Pinches (Eng)
• Group 32: Xiao Guodong (Chn)
• Group 16: Ben Woollaston (Eng)
• Group 15: Matthew Stevens (Wal)
• Group 28: Anthony Hamilton (Eng)

Championship League Stage 1

• June 26-30
• July 3-8
• July 10-14

Championship League Stage 2

Championship Stage 3

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