2024 Snooker Northern Ireland Open- Lost to rival Pang Junxu 4-6 and missed the final
On October 26, 2023, the semi-finals of the 2024 Northern Ireland Snooker Open took place, and one of the standout performers was 24-year-old Chinese player Pang Junxu. Despite a commendable run to the final four, he faced off against reigning World Champion Kyren Wilson, ultimately falling short with a score of 4-6.
In the match, Pang initially struggled as defensive mistakes allowed Wilson, the world number two, to seize control, ending the first four frames with a 3-1 lead. Although Pang managed to capitalize on a couple of Wilson’s errors to win a frame, he failed to seize crucial opportunities, resulting in Wilson taking a commanding 5-2 lead and setting up several match points.
However, in a critical moment, Pang showed resilience. Confronted with a formidable opponent, he delivered an impressive break of 67 in the eighth frame, followed by a victory in the ninth, narrowing the score to 4-5 and reigniting the suspense of the match. Unfortunately, in the tenth frame, Pang made a critical error, allowing Wilson to respond with an 83-point break, sealing the match and confirming his place in the final at 6-4.
Despite the disappointment of not reaching the final, Pang’s journey stood out, as he was the only player among the 17 Chinese competitors in the event to make it to the semi-finals. His performance included a solid victory over the world number six, Belgium’s Luca Brecel, in the round of 32, and a comeback win against Australia’s Neil Robertson in the quarter-finals, showcasing his talent and determination. While there were several key mistakes in the semi-final, Pang’s tenacity and courage under pressure left a lasting impression. For a young player, these experiences will undoubtedly serve as invaluable lessons moving forward.
In the other semi-final, world number one Judd Trump decisively defeated world number 35 Elliot Slessor with a score of 6-0. The final will feature a clash between the top two ranked players in the world.