Chinese snooker player Zhang Anda in action at 2019 International Championship in Daqing, Heilongjiang Province in China, August 5, 2019. /CFP
Chinese snooker players were in perfect form as all five who participated on the opening day of British Open qualifier advanced to the next round in Wigan on Wednesday.
Seven-time world champion Stephen Hendry, 53, was stunned by world No. 70 Zhang Anda 4-1. Hendry responded to a break of 59 in the second frame by rolling in a 54 in the third frame to trail 2-1, but the 30-year-old Chinese player wasted no time to crush the senior in the final two frames and reached the last 64.
Meanwhile, amateur Zhao Jianbo beat Jackson Page 4-3 in an intense match, and Li Hang swept Liam Highfield 4-0. Chen Zifan and Xu Si also cruised into the next round after beating their opponents respectively.
Chinese snooker player Ding Junhui during the World Championship in Sheffield, UK, April 20, 2022. /CFP
A record number of 28 Chinese players are competing in the qualifier, with another four to start their journey on Wednesday. The 35-year-old ace Ding Junhui will clash against young Briton Oliver Lines in his seasonal debut.
The qualifiers are between August 9 to 14, and the British Open will take place from September 26 to October 2 in Milton Keynes with the world's top 16 beginning their campaign at the finals venue.
Welsh Mark Williams is the defending champion at the third ranking event of the season.