Mark Davis is fighting to maintain his professional snooker status at World Championship qualifying, needing to win his opening qualifying match against Gao Yang to have a chance of staying on tour. He has lost his last four World Championship qualifying matches in deciding frames. According to Metro - Main, Davis described the pressure of recent years, saying he has had to win matches to stay on tour and will likely need at least two wins this year. He added that if maintaining his status is not to be, he will reassess his future plans.
Elliot Slessor enters World Championship qualifying needing two wins to reach the Crucible, while Zak Surety also needs to win two qualifying matches to return to the Crucible. Surety made four centuries in his Crucible debut match against Ding Junhui last year. According to Daily Express - Sport, Slessor described his emotional challenges, saying he struggles to hold in frustration like some players and often feels like a raging bull on a tightrope. According to Metro - Main, Surety described the difficulty of getting back to the Crucible, noting that many players only appear there once, and he is trying not to think that way because he is desperate to return.
The World Snooker Championship main tournament runs from April 18 to May 4 at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, with the official draw for the 2026 event scheduled for approximately 8:45am on Thursday, April 16. Zhao Xintong is the defending champion, while Judd Trump is the current world number one. Ronnie O'Sullivan is bidding for a record-breaking eighth world title, adding to the high stakes of the competition.
In early qualifying results, Marco Fu won his opening round of World Championship qualifying 10-1 against Mink Nutcharut, according to major media reports. Other notable losses include Ken Doherty, who lost his qualifying match 10-5 to Patrick Whelan, and Reanne Evans, who lost her qualifying match 10-7 to Vladislav Gradinari, according to major media reports.
The World Snooker Championship qualifiers are being streamed on HBO Max in the UK, providing coverage for fans following the intense battles for Crucible spots.