Bai: Crucible Is The Goal

Bai Yulu has set her sights on becoming the first woman to play in the final stages of the World Championship at the Crucible.

In an interview with the Global Times, Bai outlined her ambition to make it through the qualifying rounds in Sheffield and compete on snooker’s biggest stage.

“I definitely want to qualify for the main draw stage at the Crucible,” said the 23-year-old, who won the World Women’s Championship in 2024 and 2025.

Bai made history at the 2026 World Championship qualifiers when she beat Daniel Womersley 10-7, becoming the first woman to win a match in the qualifying competition since Reanne Evans in 2017.

The long-distance format provides a stern test and Bai believes the experience will help her develop the physical and mental endurance she needs to go further.

“Every time I play in the qualifying tournament, it’s a very long match,” she said. “For me, every time I finish one of these matches, I feel a little exhausted. It really feels like I’m using everything I have in that match. There is also the mental battle of facing the problems your opponents give you and trying to solve them.”

Bai recently regained top spot in the women’s world rankings, having won the UK Women’s Snooker Championship in Leeds earlier this month, beating Evans 4-1 in the final.

Currently ranked 121st on the pro tour, she has set herself the target of breaking into the top 64. “I hope that in five years I can reach the top 64,” Bai added. “There will actually be a lot of challenges. In that kind of high-intensity competition, I still need more experience, as well as more experience in tactics and technique.

“I think first of all, I need to be a good player. For me, no matter what happens, I want to always maintain that perseverance in competition. I hope to show everyone that kind of determination, and also inspire more young girls.”

Article by WST.