Bai Yulu Defends UK Title with Thrilling 4-2 Victory Over Ng On Yee in Snooker Showdown
Bai Yulu has successfully defended her Taom UK Women’s Snooker Championship title, beating Ng On Yee 4-2 in a thrilling final at the Northern Snooker Centre in Leeds. The 22-year-old from China’s impressive victory marks her second consecutive UK Championship win, making her the first player since Ng On Yee in 2017-18 to retain both the UK and World Championship titles in back-to-back years. With this triumph, Bai now has five ranking titles since 2023, tying with Kim Shaw and Sue Foster in the all-time ranking title list on the Women’s Snooker Tour.
Bai’s path to the final was marked by a strong performance in the round robin stage, where she breezed through her matches. In the knockout stages, she overcame Deborah Fladgate, who had secured her spot after a dramatic black ball playoff. Bai then outlasted Tessa Davidson and Rebecca Kenna, who both gave her tough challenges but couldn’t force a deciding frame, ensuring Bai’s place in the final for the third consecutive year.
Her opponent, four-time UK champion Ng On Yee, entered the match after navigating a tough draw that included former world champions like Reanne Evans, Baipat Siripaporn, and Mink Nutcharut. The final was a closely contested affair, with both players showcasing their high skill levels. The match was tied at 2-2 after four frames, with Bai producing a remarkable 102 clearance to match Mink Nutcharut’s tournament high break. Ng responded with a 53 and a 50, keeping the pressure on Bai.
However, in the final two frames, Bai’s tactical precision and solid breaks of 46 and 30 proved enough to seal the victory, ensuring she remains the UK champion for a second consecutive year.
