Pang Junxu carved his name into snooker history Wednesday with a gritty 10-7 comeback victory over compatriot Zhang Anda at the World Snooker Championship in Sheffield. The 24-year-old’s first-round triumph marks his debut advancement to the tournament’s knockout stage.
The Turning Point
Trailing 5-3 after the initial session, Pang ignited his rally with a clinical 111-point century break in the ninth frame. While Zhang briefly regained momentum, Pang’s explosive four-frame streak – featuring three 50+ breaks – sealed his opponent’s fate. "This win proves my mental resilience," Pang later told media through a translator.
Next Challenge: The Rocket
The victory sets up a high-stakes second-round duel with seven-time champion Ronnie O’Sullivan, who demonstrated enduring prowess with a 10-4 dismantling of Ali Carter. Meanwhile, world No. 1 Judd Trump eliminated China’s Zhou Yuelong 10-4, advancing to face January’s Masters champion Shaun Murphy.
