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Sunday, February 16, 2025

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Underdog Lei Lands Maiden Crown


World quantity 84 Lei Peifan created historical past within the first ever closing between two gamers born within the 21st century, beating fellow Chinese language 21-year-old Wu Yize 9-5 to win the BetVictor Scottish Open in Edinburgh.

Outsider Lei turns into the best ranked participant to win a event since 1993. Dave Harold was world quantity 93 when he gained the Asian Open that yr.

Extremely, Lei had by no means been past the final 16 of a rating event previous to this week. He’s overcome a world class listing of opponents to make it to the ultimate, defeating Hossein Vafaei, Shaun Murphy, Stuart Bingham, Tom Ford and Mark Allen.

Lei’s prize for victory is £100,000, which is able to see him leap to 43rd place within the Johnstone’s Paint World Rankings.

He heads into the BetVictor Welsh Open subsequent yr trailing Neil Robertson by £8,600 within the BetVictor Collection standings. Whoever tops the listing after the Welsh Open will scoop a bumper £150,000 bonus.

Earlier this yr Lei wasn’t even knowledgeable participant, having misplaced his standing twice beforehand. He regained his place on the skilled circuit by successful the Asia Pacific Championship in March, beating Australia’s Vinnie Calabrese 6-5 within the closing.

At 42, the mixture age of right this moment’s finalists was the bottom in a rating occasion title match since 1998. Paul Hunter (19) defeated John Higgins (22) to seize the Welsh Open crown on that event.

Defeat sees Wu fall brief in his second closing of the marketing campaign. He was additionally runner-up to Neil Robertson on the BetVictor English Open. Nevertheless, he’ll emerge from the week ranked 25th on the earth.

Lei got here out of the afternoon session with a 5-3 benefit. That hole was closed when Wu took the opener this night, however Lei shortly responded with 70 within the tenth to make it 6-4.

A tightly contested 11th body then went the best way of Lei after 35 minutes of play. The 12th got here all the way down to the inexperienced, the place Wu missed a possibility to the highest left. That afforded Lei the possibility to clear to the pink and transfer one away from glory at 8-4.

Wu offered resistance by taking the subsequent, however a break of 62 noticed Lei maintain his nerve and recover from the road for a momentous victory.

Lei mentioned “”Truthfully, it feels so sudden to win the title. I initially simply wished to higher my earlier finest consequence, which was the final 16. Reaching that stage already felt satisfying, so I performed with no strain and didn’t overthink issues.”

Lei added: “The ultimate body was powerful mentally. I stored picturing myself successful the title if I made the subsequent shot, however I attempted to remain calm and put together myself for every shot.

“Coming again to the skilled circuit this yr, my aim was simply to maintain my place on the tour. I’ve already been relegated twice earlier than. I didn’t count on this consequence in any respect and it got here so quick. It exhibits that onerous work pays off and I’ll preserve working onerous to win extra titles sooner or later.

“Wu Yize and I’ve been good associates for ten years. This was our first time taking part in one another. Assembly in a rating closing made it much more particular.

“Seeing the gamers I practise with obtain such nice outcomes has been an enormous inspiration for me. It jogged my memory that with sufficient effort, I can obtain nice issues too.”

Wu mentioned: “This week I believe I carried out properly general, however not on this closing match. I don’t know what occurred. It felt like I used to be taking part in with none contact or rhythm. I didn’t actually put a lot strain on myself, however possibly I used to be a bit nervous within the first 4 frames. I attempted to regulate in a while, however it nonetheless didn’t really feel proper.

“Because of everybody in your assist. Perhaps my efficiency this time was a bit disappointing, however I gained’t let it crush me. I imagine I’ll have many extra alternatives sooner or later and I’m assured I can win a title.”

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