World Championship Qualifying 2024 (Sections 1-8)

World Championship Qualifying 2024

Dates: 08-17 April 2024

Venue: English Institute of Sport, Sheffield

Section 1:

A section where standout player and world number 18 Jack Lisowski should make his 8^th appearance at the crucible. His temperament in high-pressure situations will be tested however on Judgement day where I expect him to come up against Matthew Stevens who was defeated in last years final Qualifying round by Dave Gilbert.

A special mention for youngster Liam Davies who will be aiming to reach the Crucible for the first time & also Jimmy White hoping to make his 26^th appearance at the home of Snooker.

To Qualify: Jack Lisowski

Danger: Matthew Stevens

Section 2:

Coming into the event, none of the players in section 2 are coming in with any notable form which could lead to a possible surprise qualifier but having watched enough of Ricky Walden throughout the years and noting his ability to grind out victories when not playing his best, I expect he will have enough to navigate through this section and qualify for his 10^th crucible.

To Qualify: Ricky Walden

Danger: Mark Davis

Section 3:

With his run to the semi-final in 2020 still fresh in the memory, it’s hard to look past Anthony McGill to come through this section and make his 10^th consecutive Crucible appearance. For a player that’s highest World ranking was 14 back in 2018/19 his record in Sheffield is remarkable and seems to either plan his season around the World Championship or comes to life on the big stage. He will hope to replicate at the very least last season’s quarter-final run. But the Scotsman will not have it all his own way with in-form Dominic Dale more than likely his opponent on judgement day and is a potential banana skin the way Dale has been playing this season.

To Qualify: Anthony McGill

Danger: Dominic Dale

Section 4:

A straight shoot-out between Neil Robertson and Jamie Jones. 2 players that would’ve fancied their chances qualifying before the draw was made. Robertson has dropped out of the top 16 for the first time in 19 years after a chaotic 2023 but since the turn of the year has seemed to regain some form and considering he qualifies from this section, will no doubt be one to avoid going forward. The former World Champion will fancy his chances of at least emulating his quarter-final run in 2021.

Jamie Jones has had a quieter year on tour than expected, his quarter-final runs in both the European Masters & British Open in the 2022/23 season have not been replicated this season and although he carries the tag of being one to avoid, he comes here with very little form. I expect the Australian to end his chances of qualification on judgement day.

To Qualify: Neil Robertson

Danger: Jamie Jones

Section 5:

Jak Jones’ run to the quarter-final of the Crucible last year only to be defeated 13-10 by Mark Allen can only be applauded but he hasn’t pushed on this season and his results have lacked consistency throughout. Making the latter stages of tournaments has been a rarity but if he can produce similar form to this time last year he will be dangerous. He will more than likely play fellow Welshman Jamie Clarke to reach judgment day where he will face Zhou Yuelong.

Yuelong has failed to qualify for the World Championships since 2019 but will see this as a golden opportunity to return to the Crucible. He will more than likely face off against Jak Jones to qualify and will be confident of defeating the Welshman as he holds a 100% record against the 30 year old.

Yuelong’s form this season is by far the strongest in this section.

To Qualify: Zhou Yuelong

Danger: Jak Jones

Section 6:

A tricky section to predict. It’s hard to be confident on any of the players qualifying as the inconsistency of their form is undeniable. Stephen Maguire is the name that jumps out of you immediately after looking at the draw, but in recent years has become unreliable and his defeat in last years judgement day is another example of that.

He will more than likely face Michael White or Yuan Sijun to qualify and either player on their day will cause the Scotsman lots of trouble. Sijun will aim to reach the Crucible for the first time and has shown signs throughout the season that he is capable of turning Maguire over with standout wins over Ding, Milkins & Ford during the year.

To Qualify: Stephen Maguire

Danger: Yuan Sijun

Section 7:

Dropping out of the top 16 for the first time since 2011/12, Stuart Bingham will not be used to qualifying and will be determined to appear at his 14^th consecutive World Championship. He has been drawn in a section with some tricky opponents, Louis Heathcote has threatened to break into the World top 50 but is still yet to impose himself on the tour. Eliott Slessor came through qualifying last year and will fancy his chances of repeating last years achievement.

Oliver Lines has yet to qualify for the Crucible but has steadily been creeping up the rankings and is capable of building momentum and stringing together a few good results. Despite not qualifying since 2017/18, Stuart Carrington knows what it takes to come through this route and will no doubt cause problems for his opponents along the way hoping to make his 4^th World Championship appearance.

Very hard to see past the 2015 World Champion.

To Qualify: Stuart Bingham

Danger: Elliott Slessor

Section 8:

A difficult section to pick a winner but the form of Chris Wakelin over the past 12 months especially his run to the final of the Northern Ireland Open in October stands out as the one to beat in this section. He is likely to face fellow Englishman Robbie Williams on judgement day who has also had an impressive season on tour.

A close match between the pair is expected with Wakelin scrapping through to make his 4^th Crucible appearance.

To Qualify: Chris Wakelin

Danger: Robbie Williams