The final round of World Championship qualifiers, known as Judgement Day, delivered significant upsets and dramatic results. Dave Gilbert defeated Aaron Hill 10-6, with Gilbert making two centuries and four half-centuries during the match. Gilbert, who is currently number 40 on the one-year rankings, will play at the Crucible for the 12th time this month, while Hill has yet to make his Crucible debut. In a major surprise, Jack Lisowski lost his qualifier to He Guoqiang 10-5, with He Guoqiang making a break of 138. He Guoqiang will be making his Crucible debut this month. Defending champion Luca Brecel was defeated 10-5 by Jak Jones in qualifying, and Stephen Maguire lost his qualifier to Liam Highfield 10-5, with Maguire punching the table in frustration during the match. Maguire has now failed to qualify for three of the last four World Championships. Stuart Bingham lost his qualifier to Matthew Stevens 10-7, marking the second consecutive year Bingham has failed to qualify, the first time in 20 years. Ken Doherty also fell, losing to Patrick Whelan 10-5.
Several players sealed their Crucible entry, with Stan Moody, Liam Pullen, and Antoni Kowalski among those securing debuts. Bai Yulu defeated Daniel Womersley 10-7 in her qualifier, though a scoring error occurred during the 12th frame where four points were incorrectly added to Womersley's score. The error went unnoticed by the referee and both players.
I thought it was going to be a real tear-up. I thought Aaron was very attacking and it was going to be a score-fest but he played so negative and the game got bogged down all the way through. But over the moon with the win.
Dave Gilbert expressed surprise at his opponent's tactics after his win. According to Metro - Main, Dave Gilbert described expecting an attacking match but found Hill played negatively, which bogged down the game. Gilbert said he was shocked how negative Aaron played and thought he was going to come out and attack. He added that his experience tells him if you want to beat the bigger players, especially to go deep in competitions, you've got to attack. Gilbert speculated that maybe that was the game plan with Fergal O'Brien to try and slow him down. Gilbert also reflected on his form, stating he is not one of the newbies that's going to come here and say they want Ronnie O'Sullivan. He noted he hasn't enjoyed playing snooker for a while but has enjoyed it again recently. Gilbert emphasized the Crucible is the only place he is particularly interested in playing in.
Veteran Jimmy White narrowly lost his World Championship qualifier to Gao Yang 10-9, a defeat that ended his bid to return to the Crucible for the first time since 2006. White, ranked 123rd in the world, angrily gestured towards a spectator after missing a shot during the match. According to Daily Express - Sport, Jimmy White described his preparation, saying he had no distractions, including no phone, during his qualifying bid and that he was going to qualifying the best prepared he has been for probably 25 years. He also noted that opening his own club has brought his game on leaps and bounds and that his game has never been in better shape. White will feature in the World Seniors Championship in May.
I don’t want to be involved in matches like that. I was shocked how negative Aaron played. I thought he was going to come out and attack. He pots so many good single balls but then just seemed to want to play safe all the time. My experience tells me if you want to beat the bigger players, especially to go deep in competitions, you’ve got to attack.
In other qualifying matches, Sam Craigie was docked a frame for tardiness during his qualifier against Umut Dikme, who made a 103 break and a 96 break in his win. Dikme faces Jack Lisowski in his next qualifying match. Craigie has been recovering from a severe neck injury involving a slipped disc. Chang Bingyu defeated Prin Ratmukda 10-2 in the first round of qualifying. Stuart Bingham progressed to the final round of qualifying, as did David Gilbert and Aaron Hill, who faced each other. Liam Highfield will face Oliver Lines in the fourth round of qualifying.
Player struggles were evident, with Luca Brecel currently ranked 46th in the world. According to Metro - Main, Luca Brecel described skipping eight or nine tournaments this season due to not feeling well.
I was shocked. Maybe that was the game plan with Fergal to try and cabbage me. It certainly stopped me playing a little bit.
Listen, I’m not one of the newbies that’s going to come here and say they want Ronnie [O’Sullivan]. There’s a few in the draw I think I’m easily as good as if my head’s on. There’s a lot in there that’s miles better than me. But I’m excited to get to the Crucible.
I haven’t enjoyed playing snooker for a while. I missed Yushan [World Open], put a few weeks’ practice in and I’ve actually enjoyed playing again, so it’s nice to be going to the Crucible.
The last few years I’ve missed so many comps and wasted so many opportunities. I was like, blummin hell it’s the Crucible. It’s the only place I’m particularly interested in playing in. I’d love to play at the Masters, but it’s impossible when you’re like me, so up and down, to get back into the 16. The Crucible is a special place. I’ve wasted a few cha
I'm going with my son this time, only because he's been getting the balls out. I've got no distractions. I'll have no phone, nothing. I'm going up there the best prepared I've been for probably 25 years. I know that sounds crazy, but it really is the truth.
Since I've opened the club, I've been practising more than ever. I'm there every day. What I was doing previously, when I'd go to my club in Epsom, I'd have a couple of hours practice with my son, then maybe go back and do another hour and a half. But with Jimmy's Lounge, I'm there all day and without even knowing, I'm playing like six or seven hours. It's really brought me on, you know, leaps and bounds. I hope I can keep this form up. I've got to win four matches, which is like winning a tournament because you have to win four best-of-19 frames. But my game has never been in better shape. I'm really excited.
This season I’ve skipped eight or nine tournaments. I’ve talked about it, I’ve not been feeling well. I don’t want to talk too much because it sounds like an excuse, but it’s just the way it is. I’ve skipped all the big tournaments. It wasn’t my decision to skip them, I just couldn’t physically play them, which is even more frustrating.