2024 Championship League: Gary Wilson goes through, John Higgins is eliminated

Despite being nowhere near his best, world number 11 Wilson was persistent as he went undefeated and collected seven points to finish top of Group 9 and make it into stage two of the tournament in several days time.

• Results, schedule, essential 2024 Championship League information

The reigning Scottish and Welsh Open champion began proceedings in the pool with a 3-0 victory against rookie Huang Jiahao and returned later in the day to defeat Michael Holt 3-1, top scoring in the tie with a 97.

Going into the final fixture against Joe Perry, a draw was enough for Wilson to win the group, while Perry had to claim all three points to end on top.

Perry registered a run of 71 on his way to depositing the opening frame but Wilson replied in frame two with an 83 to level up at one all. After a scrappy affair in frame three, Wilson crafted a determined effort to take the frame, secure at least a point and guarantee top spot.

With Perry already assured of second in the group, the final frame was a dead rubber, but he won it to draw 2-2.

Over on table two, there was somewhat of an upset as Chinese 20-year-old Ma Hailong won Group 9.

The former World Snooker Federation Champion - now in his second season as a professional - hit a break of 103 in the final frame to salvage a 2-2 draw against Ben Mertens in his opening match of the day. Ma then stayed on the table and compiled a trio of half-centuries in a 3-0 victory over rookie Artemijs Zizins.

Elsewhere in this very intriguing group, four-time World Champion John Higgins began in style as he saw off Zizins 3-0 in pacey and high-scoring fashion but then lost 3-0 to Mertens in the second session.

Higgins’ loss meant qualification was out of his hands, but when Mertens lost 3-0 to Zizins, he once again had control of his own destiny in the final fixture of the group with victory over Ma being his way out.

In contrast, Ma needed a draw to top the section, and he began superbly as a 111 break won him the first frame. Higgins - now requiring all three of the remaining frames - made a 60 en route to taking frame two, but Ma potted a thin final black from distance in an edgy third frame to reach his target.

Higgins - who is hanging on to his long-lasting top 16 status - got a draw with frame four, but he ended the day in third place behind Mertens as well.