Tag: Wendy Jans

Women’s Snooker Review 2019/20

By In General News, News, WWS Updated: Comments Off on Women’s Snooker Review 2019/20

Today we look back on a 2019/20 World Women’s Snooker Tour season which has seen some fantastic snooker played across the globe by the world’s leading female players.

Of course, the end of the season has not concluded in the way that we would have liked with the unavoidable postponement of both the Festival and World Championship tournaments due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, it has nevertheless been an important 12 months for women’s snooker with tournament entries and media exposure continuing to increase.

Below we pick out a few of the highlights of the campaign and reflect on the action we have seen on the baize…

Title Triple

For the first time since the 2016/17 season we crowned three ranking event champions as regular champions Reanne Evans and Ng On Yee were joined in the winner’s circle for the first time by Nutcharut Wongharuthai.

Having been knocking on the door for the previous 18 months with four ranking event final appearances to her name, the Thai star memorably broke her title duck at the Australian Women’s Open with victory against On Yee in the final. The win saw her become only the sixth active player to have won a full-ranking event title and reach a new career-high ranking of third in the world where she remains today.

Either side of her triumph came further victories for England’s Reanne Evans, who added record-extending ninth and sixth triumphs at the UK Women’s Championship and Eden Women’s Masters tournaments respectively. The wins helped our reigning world champion extend an unbeaten run dating back to October 2018 and underline her status as the undisputed number one on tour.

It was however Ng On Yee who ended the winning streak of Evans at our most recent competition in Bruges back in February, a 4-2 final success marking her own return to form as she claimed her first title in over a year on the WWS circuit at the second Belgian Women’s Open.

Crucible Return

Prior to the ranking event action though it was at the iconic Crucible Theatre in Sheffield where the new season was launched as women’s snooker returned to the home of snooker for the first time in 16 years.

The new Women’s Tour Championship saw our top four ranked players take to the baize at the venue which has hosted the professional World Championship since 1977, with only Reanne Evans have competed there previously.

With plenty of drama, tension and high quality snooker on display, the event represented a wonderful showcase of women’s snooker and demonstrated what our top players can do on the big stage.

  • Read our full report from the day HERE.

Participation on the Rise

The primary objective of WWS remains to provide opportunities for women and girls to pick up a cue and play snooker, providing the platform for players around the world, of any age or level of experience, to do so competitively.

We have been delighted this season to welcome several new players to the World Women’s Snooker Tour with no fewer than 35 women competing on the circuit for the first time.

With a total of 152 players from 29 countries currently ranked – an increase from just 38 players only six years ago – the tour is bigger than it has ever been during the current generation with more players joining all the time.

Among those to have joined the circuit, Northern Ireland’s Chucky Preston made an immediate impression at the Eden Masters by reaching the quarter-finals on her debut, while she was also one of a number of newcomers to reach the final of one of our side-tournaments during the campaign.

For the first time we welcomed players from Morocco as African Games champion Yousra Matine and Hind Bennani travelled to England to compete, with Hind reaching the Challenge Cup final at the UK Championship despite playing with a borrowed cue after her own did not arrive in time.

We have also been excited to welcome new players from Guernsey, Scotland, Russia, New Zealand and more.

Ranking Risers

It has been another season which has seen key movements across the world ranking list with a number of players reaching new career-high positions as they continue to develop their game.

As already mentioned above the most notable example is Thailand’s Nutcharut Wongharuthai who climbed to third position behind leading duo Reanne Evans and Ng On Yee at the top of the list.

Not far behind her and up to a new career-best of seventh is Emma Parker of England, who enjoyed another strong season by reaching her second ranking event semi-final at the Belgian Women’s Open, as well as winning Under-21 tournaments in Bruges and Leeds. She also achieved success at national level by claiming the English Women’s Championship for the first time.

Other notable players to have made significant gains at the top end of the rankings include former European champion Wendy Jans, while 17-year-old Ploychompoo Laokiatphong is up to 14th after she reached her first ranking event semi-finals at the UK Women’s Championship and Eden Masters tournaments.

Professional Opportunities

It has been another season where together with our friends at the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association and World Snooker Tour, we have continued to work to provide new opportunities for our stars to compete at the highest level.

Most significantly this season saw our reigning world champion Reanne Evans qualify to play at the professional Champion of Champions for the first time, where she took on former triple crown winner Shaun Murphy live on ITV4. There she was able to recover from 3-0 down to force a deciding frame, before Murphy was able to get over the line with a one-visit break.

Once again Evans was also invited together with Nutcharut Wongharuthai to compete at the Shoot Out professional ranking event, although both ultimately found themselves up against impressive performances from opponents Ian Burns and Thor Chuan Leong respectively in the first round.

Both Evans and Ng On Yee also competed at the prestigious SangSom 6-Red World Championship in Thailand last September, while our top three ranked players were also set to play at the Betfred World Championship qualifiers in Sheffield this month, prior to the postponement of the tournament until later this summer.

What have been your memories of the 2019/20 season? Let us know on social media using the hashtag #WomensSnooker

, , , , , ,

World Rankings – Belgian Women’s Open 2020 Update

By In Belgian Open, General News, News, Rankings, WWS Updated: Comments Off on World Rankings – Belgian Women’s Open 2020 Update

The official world women’s rankings were updated for the first time this calendar year following Ng On Yee’s triumph at the Belgian Women’s Open last weekend.

The WWS world rankings operate on a rolling two-year basis, with points earned during 2017/18 to be removed during the course of this season. At this revision points earned at the 2018 British Open were replaced by those earned at this year’s Belgian Women’s Open.

There are now over 150 players from 29 countries currently ranked on the circuit after a further eight new players joined the tour in Bruges.

Evans Retains Advantage

Following her title victory in Bruges, Ng On Yee of Hong Kong, China has closed the gap to England’s Reanne Evans at the top of the world rankings, but it is the 12-time world champion who retains a significant advantage with two events still to be played this season.

Having entered the tournament with a lead of 22,850, runner-up Evans has seen her lead trimmed to 17,900, with the points from her British Open triumph in February 2018 replaced by those earned this week in Belgium.

With On Yee set to defend a significant amount of points over the next six months however, the victory is nevertheless important to her as she looks to keep hold of second position ahead of the ever-improving Nutcharut Wongharuthai, who missed out on the chance to close the gap following her semi-final defeat to On Yee last weekend.

The Top Ten

While the top four remains unchanged, there have been a number of movements elsewhere within the world’s top 10.

Despite her quarter-final defeat to Nutcharut Wongharuthai, five-time former world finalist Maria Catalano rises one place to fifth position ahead of Welsh cueist Laura Evans.

It was also another strong weekend for 20-year-old Emma Parker, who reached the semi-finals of a ranking event for only the second time in her career and is rewarded with a new career-high ranking of number 7 ahead of Suzie Opacic who drops one position to eighth.

Rounding out the top 10, home player Wendy Jans climbs five places to number nine, her last 16 run allied to the fact that she did not compete in the corresponding event two years ago meaning that she gained points relative to a number of players around her on the ranking list. Similarly Thailand’s Waratthanun Sukritthanes also moves up on place into the top 10 for the first time, despite not having competed this weekend in Bruges.

Notable Moves

Outside of the top 10 there were notable gains for a number of players who were competing at the weekend, including Chloe White who moves up three positions to a career-high 21st in the rankings, while Belgium’s Caty Dehaene is up 10 places to 37th after finishing third in her round-robin group.

Also ascending the list are several players who have joined the circuit this season including Chucky Preston (43), Harriet Haynes (48), Bennani Hind (55) and Kate Le Gallez (56). Our most notable new entries are 15-year-old Albina Liashcuk of Belarus and Belgium’s Belinda Focquaert, who are straight in at 74th position after both players progressed to the last 16 on their return to the circuit.

Under-21 / Seniors

Emma Parker remains at the head of the Under-21 ranking list following her sixth career Under-21 victory ahead of Nutcharut Wongharthai, who Parker edged out in the semi-finals. Runner-up Albina Liashcuk is a new entry at 11th following a sensational run which including wins against English pair Steph Daughtery and Chloe White.

In the new for 2019/20 Seniors ranking list, Belgium’s Caty Dehaene moves straight into fourth position after she successfully defended the title that she previously won 12 months ago with victory against third placed Jackie Ellis. Deahene is one of five new additions to the Seniors rankings following the event.

Please note that for this season ranking points in the Under-21 and Seniors rankings will be awarded in accordance with the new side-events points schedule available HERE.

The World Women’s Snooker Tour will return with the Festival of Women’s Snooker from 3-6 April 2020. Entries for the event will open shortly.

, , , ,

Semis Set as Wongharuthai Stuns On Yee

By In News, World Women's Championship, WWS Updated: Comments Off on Semis Set as Wongharuthai Stuns On Yee

The semi-final line-up at the 2019 World Women’s Snooker Championship has now been confirmed following a dramatic day at the Hi-End Snooker Club in Bangkok, Thailand which saw the defending champion Ng On Yee defeated at the quarter-final stages.

The day began with the last 16 round which saw smooth progress for the star names including all the top four in the world ranking list, 12-time European champion Wendy Jans and World Cup winning duo Waratthanun Sukritthanes and Baipat Siripaporn of Thailand.

It was to prove an altogether more dramatic evening session however as three-time world champion Ng On Yee was upset by home hero Nutcharut Wongharuthai, who won 4-1 to reach the semi-finals of the biggest competition in women’s snooker for the first time in her career.

Still just 19, Wongharuthai had previously defeated On Yee on two occasions earlier this season and shrugged off her defeat in the round robin stages to India’s Varshaa Sanjeev to record one of the biggest victories of her career to date.

Having dropped the opening frame, ‘Mink’ responded by claiming the next to move 2-1 in front, before then claiming an ultimately pivotal fourth frame from behind after On Yee conceded a number of penalty points when snookered on the final two reds. Although On Yee would not surrender her crown lightly, there was not to be a comeback and Wongharuthai added the fifth frame to claim a significant victory which means that On Yee will not compete in the semi-finals of the World Championship for the first time since 2012.

Awaiting Wongharuthai in the last four is Wendy Jans who enjoyed a more straightforward 4-0 success against another young Thai talent Ploychompoo Laokiatphong. Following her morning victory against India’s Arantxa Sanchis, the Belgian star wasted little time in progressing to her fourth career world semi-final and first since 2014, maintaining her flawless record so far in Thailand having won 17 frames from 17 played.

in the top half of the draw 11-time world champion Reanne Evans survived a scare against another Thai player in Waratthanun Sukritthanes to prevail a 4-2 winner.

After taking the opener, Evans, who is looking to claim her first world title since 2016, fell 2-1 behind and was within a ball of dropping the fourth frame to stand on the brink of a shock exit at the last eight stage. Having potted pink and black to draw level at 2-2 however, Evans quickly added the following two frames with breaks of 50 and 54 to progress to an incredible 17th consecutive world semi-final.

For the second consecutive match she will now face a member of Thailand’s World Cup winning team from earlier in the week after Baipat Siripaporn edged out third seed Rebecca Kenna 4-3 on the black in this evening’s final match to reach the last four for the first time in this event.

It was Siripaporn who was never headed during the match as she led 2-0 and 3-2, but Kenna hit back with a break of 41 to take the match into a deciding frame as she looked to reach the semi-finals for the fourth straight year.

After several hours of high-quality play from both however, the match would cruelly be settled by a fluke on the final pink for Baipat in the decider, which left her in perfect position on the match ball black that she would not miss.

The tournament concludes with both the semi-finals and final on Sunday 23 June, with the last four matches due to start at 11:00am local time.

, , ,

Women’s Snooker Set for Thailand

By In News, Women's Snooker World Cup, World Women's Championship, WWS Updated: Comments Off on Women’s Snooker Set for Thailand

World Women’s Snooker is set to witness its biggest week for a generation with the staging of two prestigious international competitions in Bangkok, Thailand.

To be held at the spectacular Hi-End Snooker Club with the support of the Billiard Sports Association of Thailand and the World Snooker Federation, the event will be headlined by this year’s World Women’s Snooker Championship from 20-23 June 2019.

Won last year for a third time by Hong Kong’s Ng On Yee, the tournament will see 54 players from 15 different countries – more than double the number who played last year – contest the biggest title of this season’s World Women’s Snooker Tour.

Among those taking part will be the world’s top four ranked players including defending champion On Yee and 11-time queen Reanne Evans, as well as 12-time European Championship winner Wendy Jans and several other established faces.

They will be joined by several newcomers to the circuit including players from Iran, Japan, Russia, Malaysia, Singapore and India making this one of the most international editions of the championship ever.

The week will also see the staging of the inaugural Women’s Snooker World Cup from 17-19 June, a new team event featuring 17 teams representing countries from across the globe.

Adopting a similar format to that used at the professional World Cup to be staged by World Snooker later this month in Thailand, matches will see two-player teams contest a combination of singles and doubles frames, initially through round robin groups before knockout stages starting at the quarter-finals.

Each country was permitted to enter up to two teams, with Thailand being granted an extra two as the host country. There is also a wildcard ‘Rest of the World’ team featuring Laura Evans and Wendy Jans as the highest ranked players unable to otherwise compete in the tournament due to being the only players nominated by their countries.

Among those who will be fancied to go all the way will be the England A team featuring top ranked Reanne Evans and world number 3 Rebecca Kenna, as well as those teams featuring the likes of Ng On Yee and home favourite Nutcharut Wongharuthai.

All tournament information, including player lists, draws and results will be available via https://snookerscores.net/organisation/world-womens-snooker throughout the week.

, , , , ,

World Women’s Rankings – Belgian Women’s Open 2019 Update

By In Belgian Open, General News, News, Rankings, WWS Updated: Comments Off on World Women’s Rankings – Belgian Women’s Open 2019 Update

The official world women’s rankings have been updated for the first time in 2019 as Reanne Evans claimed her third title of the season at the Belgian Women’s Open last weekend.

The WWS world rankings operate on a rolling two-year basis, with points earned during 2016/17 to be removed during the course of this season. At this revision, points earned at the 2017 Connie Gough Trophy were removed from the ranking list and replaced by those earned at this year’s event held at The Trickshot in Bruges.

On Yee completes year at the top

Hong Kong’s Ng On Yee has completed 12 months at the head of the world women’s ranking list following her run to the final last weekend in Bruges. In fact, despite losing out to closest rival Reanne Evans in the title match, On Yee has actually extended her lead because she was defending no points at this cut-off, while Evans had 3,200 coming off having reached the semi-finals of the Connie Gough Trophy in 2017.

It is not all bad news for 11-time world champion Evans however as her defeat of the top seed has strengthened her position in top spot on this season’s one-year ranking list with 6,000 more points to her name than On Yee.

With On Yee set to lose 20,000 from her total over the next six months following her flawless end to the 2016/17 season, there is a very real prospect that top spot will change hands before the end of the season with Evans due to defend only the 6,400 points earned by her semi-final run at the 2017 World Championship.

The top 10

Despite the removal of points earned two years ago in Dunstable and the addition of those earned in Belgium, there are no changes of position inside the top 10 this week.

Third ranked Rebecca Kenna finds herself on her own some distance behind the top two, but comfortably clear of Maria Catalano who was defending the maximum 5,000 points having triumphed two years ago at the Connie Gough Trophy and did not compete in Belgium

There is in fact a close battle for fourth place with just 2,525 separating Catalano, Katrina Wan and Laura Evans, with all three players defending a similar amount of points between now and the end of the season.

Further back, Suzie Opacic is under increasing pressure from Thailand’s Nutcharut Wongharuthai, who having reached the semi-finals or better for the fourth time in five events so far this season, looks destined to continue her surge up the ranking list over the coming months.

Jans on the rise

Among the biggest movers further down the rankings is Belgium’s Wendy Jans as the 12-time EBSA champion rises nine places to 23rd position following her second semi-final run of the season. A stronger player than her ranking would suggest, she will only continue to climb the ranking list with further tour appearances over the coming months.

Also on the rise is Jackie Ellis who climbs two places to a new career-high of 21st position, as well as Dorothee Rapp and Connie Stephens who are up to career-best positions of 31st and 32nd respectively.

Germany’s Tanja Ender also rises one position to 40th despite not competing in Bruges.

There are six new names on the ranking list this week including Jane O’Neill, who made her first appearance on the circuit since 2003, reaching the last 16. Both Vicky Shirley and Danielle Findlay fall off the list having not competed in over two years now.

Under-21

There is a change at the top of the Under-21 ranking list as with Shannon Metcalf absent from the tournament, a semi-final run from Emma Parker was enough to see the Hornchurch youngster reclaim the number one junior ranking for the second time this season.

Steph Daughtery, who captured the title in Bruges with a brilliant win against Nutcharut Wongharuthai consolidates third position, with her Thai opponent rising into the top four for the first time ahead of Aimee Benn.

Zoe Killington moves up to eighth position after winning her first match at under-21 level against newcomer Anne Kuijpers.

The World Women’s Snooker Tour will return with the Festival of Women’s Snooker from 12-15 April 2019.

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Belgian Double for Evans

By In Belgian Open, General News, News, WWS Updated: Comments Off on Belgian Double for Evans

England’s Reanne Evans defeated world number one Ng On Yee 4-1 to win the Belgian Women’s Open for the first time last weekend.

The new event was held for the first time at The Trickshot club in Bruges and was the first event of the new year on the World Women’s Snooker Tour.

Having already enjoyed success in Belgium earlier this season at the European Women’s Masters staged in Neerpelt, Evans was one of the favourites from a strong field which included eight of the world’s top 10 ranked players at the outset.

The 11-time world champion made comfortable progress to the semi-finals with victories against local debutant Vanessa Vermeulen and then world number 7 Suzie Opacic without the loss of a frame.

Awaiting her in the last four was 12-time EBSA champion Wendy Jans, the Belgian star having successfully navigated the group stages with a 100% record and a top break of 60. Meeting for the first time in a WWS competition since the same stage of the 2014 World Women’s Championship, it was Evans who made a fast start with a tournament-high break of 86 to take the opening frame, before Jans won three in a row to move to within a frame of reaching the final on home soil.

Back however came Dudley’s Evans, who capitalised on a missed chance by Jans in frame five and would ultimately win the final three frames, the last with breaks of 49 and 46, to progress to the title match a 4-3 winner.

There she would face top seed Ng On Yee, the Hong Kong player having also made comfortable early progress through the knockout draw before surviving a deciding-frame encounter with rising Thai talent Nutcharut Wongharuthai.

In what was perhaps surprisingly the first encounter of the season between the world’s two highest ranked players, it was On Yee who took the opening frame as she looked to add the title to previous victories at the UK Women’s Championship and Australian Women’s Open earlier this season.

Evans however had other ideas and having levelled the encounter following a close second frame, would ultimately win four in a row with top breaks of 55 and 45 to seal a 4-1 victory.

“I didn’t play great [in the final] but I felt like I had done just enough to win,” said 33-year-old Evans. “I am feeling more comfortable on the table at the moment which is a good sign for upcoming tournaments. It looked like I was going to lose 4-1 to Wendy in the semi-finals but I took my chance to make it 3-2 and after that I think I played quite well to come back, so I was confident going into the final.

“I seem to like playing in Belgium [having already won in Neerpelt earlier this season]. I have been to Bruges before and was looking forward to going back to what is a beautiful place. The people at the club looking after us were great and made us feel welcome. Hopefully we get to go back there in the future.”

The win sees Evans complete a hat-trick of victories this season, adding to her European Women’s Masters and Eden Masters titles in 2018. The win also boosts Evans’ chances of reclaiming the world number one ranking over the coming months, with On Yee set to defend a significant amount of world ranking points this spring.

The event was the fifth ranking event of the 2018/19 season and welcomed a mix of newcomers from the local area, together with returning faces such as Caty Dehaene and Jane O’Neill, the latter competing in her first WWS tournament for 16 years.

WWS would like to express its gratitude to everyone at the Trickshot, in particular owner Olivier Vandenbohede and his team who welcomed the event with open arms and we hope to be able to return in 2020.

Side-events

It was a weekend to remember for Wakefield’s Steph Daughtery after the 17-year-old claimed victory in both the Challenge Cup and Under-21 side-events in Bruges.

Having reached the last 16 of the main event, losing out to Suzie Opacic 3-1 following a close match, she proved to be the scourge of the Belgian players in the Challenge Cup draw as she defeated Milenka Vansteenkiste, Melissa Eens and finally Caty Dehaene without the loss of a frame to secure victory. The win was her second successive Challenge Cup title of the season after she also won the equivalent event at last November’s Women’s Masters.

Perhaps Daughtery’s most impressive performance however was to come in the Under-21s competition as after defeating fellow English junior Zoe Killington in the last four, she then stunned world number 8 Nutcharut Wongharuthai in the final with a 2-0 victory to seal a title double.

The Seniors competition meanwhile saw Belgium’s Caty Dehaene claim her first WWS title following a 2-0 victory against Jane O’Neill of Spain. The veteran player, who last summer finished as runner-up to Wendy Jans at the European Women’s Championship in Bucharest, impressed with a high break of 46 during the weekend and is up into the world’s top 50 following this weekend.

The World Women’s Snooker Tour will return with the Festival of Women’s Snooker from 12-15 April 2019. The event will see five individual World Championship titles contested across the four days, including Under-21, Seniors, 6-Red, 10-Red and Women’s doubles competitions.

 

, , , , , , , , , ,

World Women’s Rankings – European Women’s Masters 2018 Update

By In European Women's Masters, News, Rankings, WWS Updated: Comments Off on World Women’s Rankings – European Women’s Masters 2018 Update

The official world women’s rankings have been updated for the second time this season following victory for Reanne Evans at the European Women’s Masters in Belgium last weekend.

The WLBS world rankings operate on a rolling two-year basis, with points earned during 2016/17 to be removed during the course of this season. At this revision, no points were removed from the ranking list as there was no corresponding event two years ago, with just points added from the European Women’s Masters at De Maxx.

Evans closes the gap

After Hong Kong’s Ng On Yee dramatically extended her lead at the top of the world ranking list with her victory at the season-opening UK Women’s Championship, second ranked Reanne Evans has now narrowed the gap following her latest title success.

With On Yee’s early exit to Nutcharut Wongharuthai at the last 16 stage in Neerpelt, combined with the first silverware of the season for Evans, the 11-time world champion has closed to just 7,050 points behind, compared to 13,612 heading into Belgium.

Elsewhere Keighley’s Rebecca Kenna consolidated third place with her run to the semi-finals, with closest challenger Maria Catalano not competing in the event and therefore unable to add to her total.

The remaining positions inside the top eight are unchanged, but there is a new entrant to the top 10 as 18-year-old Nutcharut Wongharuthai climbs two places to a career-high ninth following her second appearance in a ranking final. Since joining the tour as a regular player back at February’s UK Open, only the top three have gained more ranking points than the talented Thai player who has just 3,300 to be removed from her total during the next 12 months and is on course to continue moving up the list.

Ranking risers

Outside of the top 10, there is a new career-high of 13th for Emma Parker after the 19-year-old reached her first ranking quarter-final in Belgium, while former world number three Jaique Ip also climbs two places to 12th after she also reached the last eight.

Hong Kong’s Ho Yee Ki also rises one place to a new personal best of 16th position, while Germany’s Diana Stateczny re-enters the top 30 after she reached the last 16 stage.

There is a leap of 14 places for home favourite and our host last weekend at De Maxx, Wendy Jans, who is now ranked 31st following her run to the semi-finals.

Finally, Australia’s Judy Dangerfield also moves to a new career-high of 44th after she reached the knockout stages at her second ranking event.

Under-21 rankings

There was a change at the top of the Under-21 rankings in Belgium as Emma Parker ascended to top spot following her fourth Under-21 title victory during the past 18 months.

Having come into the tournament just 300 points behind 16-year-old Shannon Metcalf, Parker defeated the youngster 2-1 in the round robin stages of the European Women’s Masters Under-21 event before defeating Nutcharut Wongharuthai 2-0 in the final to clinch the title.

Parker now sits 3,450 points clear of Metcalf at the top of the list and with fewer points to defend compared to the Leeds-based youngster during the remainder of the season has a good opportunity to remain there for the immediate future.

Further down the list, Thailand’s Wongharuthai climbs two places to fifth following her final appearance with Aimee Benn next in her sights.

The next ranking event will be the WLBS Australian Women’s Open 2018, which will be held for the first time at Mounties in Sydney, Australia from 25-28 October 2018. Enter now online HERE.

, , , , , , , , , , ,

European Women’s Masters 2018: Enter Now

By In European Women's Masters, News, WWS Updated: Comments Off on European Women’s Masters 2018: Enter Now

Entries are now being accepted for the inaugural European Women’s Masters organised by World Ladies Billiards and Snooker (WLBS).

The event will be played over three days on 5-7 October 2018 at the De Maxx Club in Neerpelt, Belgium. The club is owned by 12-time European champion Wendy Jans and is easily accessible for players travelling from nearby Germany and the Netherlands.

The tournament will be the second stop on the 2018/19 World Women’s Snooker Tour and is set to welcome women players from across Europe and beyond who will battle it out to become champion. There will also be side-events staged for under-21 and senior players, subject to enough entries being received.

Players will also have the opportunity to watch the world’s leading professional stars who will be competing in the final stages of the D88.com European Masters in nearby Lommel.

Judd Trump prepares to play snooker shot in Belgium

Enter online

To enter the event please complete the online entry form HERE.

The full tournament entry pack, which includes hotel information and details of shuttle services is also now available to download HERE.

The closing date for entries and payment of entry fees is 4:30pm BST on Friday 28 September 2018.

Belgium to Host First European Women’s Masters

By In General News, News, WWS Updated: Comments Off on Belgium to Host First European Women’s Masters

World Ladies Billiards and Snooker (WLBS) is today delighted to announce the first staging of the European Women’s Masters.

To be held at the De Maxx club in Neerpelt, Belgium, the tournament will take place over three days from 5-7 October 2018 and feature the world’s best women players, each vying for ranking points and looking to take home the coveted title.

The event will run alongside the final stages of the professional D88.com European Masters tournament won last season by Judd Trump in nearby Lommel, allowing players the opportunity to watch the world’s top professionals in action when not competing.

Owned by 12-time European champion Wendy Jans, the modern De Maxx club is situated in the picturesque town of Neerpelt and boasts 10 snooker tables, each featuring its own electronic scoring system.

Diana Schuler, WLBS director said: “We are very excited to be able to announce this prestigious new event in mainland Europe this season. It remains a key objective for us to take the World Women’s Snooker Tour to new territories and we have seen in recent years how interest in snooker has grown in Belgium with Luca Brecel winning his first ranking event last season.

“De Maxx provides the perfect setting for what promises to be a very competitive tournament and I would like to thank Wendy Jans and her team at the club for their support in the organisation of the event.”

Wendy Jans said: “We are pleased to welcome WLBS to De Maxx for the first time this October and are looking forward to what should be a fantastic event. It will be fun to be able to compete on home soil and hopefully this will be another positive step in the development of the women’s tour.”

The European Women’s Masters will be the second event of the 2018/19 World Women’s Snooker Tour. Sponsorship opportunities are available for the event and you can contact us HERE for more information.

Further information, including the full event entry pack will be published soon.

,

World Title Hat-Trick For Ng On Yee

By In General News, News, World Women's Championship, WSF Championships, WWS Updated: Comments Off on World Title Hat-Trick For Ng On Yee

Hong Kong’s Ng On Yee has defeated Maria Catalano 5-0 to complete the successful defence of her WLBS World Women’s Snooker Championship title and claim her third world crown overall on Saturday.

On Yee completed a dominant week in Malta with a convincing victory against world number four Catalano, who earlier in the day had stunned 11-time world champion Reanne Evans with a 4-3 win to progress to her fifth world final and first since 2013.

It was also a fifth final for On Yee, who last month became world number one for the first time in her career and following previous victories against Belgium’s Wendy Jans and third ranked Rebecca Kenna, routed Catalano to seal the title without the loss of a single frame.

The success sees On Yee become only the fifth player ever to win the title on three or more occasions, joining an elite group comprising Reanne Evans (11), Allison Fisher (7), Kelly Fisher (5) and Karen Corr (3).

The 27-year-old will also extend her lead at the top of the WLBS rankings when they are revised next week, while beaten finalist Catalano will rise one place to number three following her run.

A delighted On Yee later revealed that she came into the tournament carrying an illness, but that this could have actually worked to her advantage.

“I am absolutely over the moon to win my third title,” said On Yee. “I did not have great expectations coming into the tournament as I was coughing and sick so just tried to play every game, every ball. But looking back now I think that this took a lot of pressure off me and I started to play a little better.

“When I saw the knockout draw I thought that was a tough draw, playing Wendy Jans in the first knockout match, but I just tried to focus and to enjoy the games. I would like to say thank you to all of my team, including family and friends, as well as my coaches at the Hong Kong Sports Institute who have supported me even late at night.”

And having enjoyed her time at the tournament in Malta, the Asian star now turns her attention to Sheffield where she will compete at the professional World Championship qualifiers following her latest triumph.

“It has been great to be here in Malta for the first time with very nice weather, a beautiful ocean view for breakfast in the morning and to be surrounded by nice people.

“As well as the title, the most important thing for me is that I have now qualified to player at the professional World Championship in Sheffield which I am really looking forward to.

“The first time there when I played Peter Lines [in 2016] I was so nervous about the atmosphere that I did not play well. Last year against Nigel Bond I had more expectations, but I still didn’t play well, so hopefully this year I can just enjoy the match.”

The World Women’s Snooker Tour will return for its final event of the 2017/18 season with the Women’s Festival of Snooker, which runs from 13-16 April 2018. Entries for the event are still being accepted HERE.

, , , ,