World Snooker Seedings 2016/17: Revision One Round-Up
Following Ali Carter’s victory at the World Open last week, the World Snooker seeding list has been updated for the first time during the 2016/17 season.
The new list will be used to determine the seedings for September’s Shanghai Masters, with the top 16 players automatically qualifying for China’s second-longest running event.
- Click here to view the updated rankings at the first mid-season seedings revision
- Click here for a reminder of how the World Snooker ranking list works
Number 1
- NO CHANGE
As explained last week, Mark Selby will retain top spot despite defeat to Thailand’s Thepchaiya Un-Nooh at the last 32 stage of the World Open.
With defeat for Stuart Bingham in the same round and the prospect of having to defend a significant amount of prize money which is now set to fall from his ranking following his strong 2014/15 season, Selby is guaranteed to remain as snooker’s top ranked player for at least a further two months.
The Top 16
IN
- Ali Carter
OUT
- Martin Gould
In another example of the ranking gains that can be made under the current prize-money based ranking system, Ali Carter climbs 15 places to 16th in the updated world ranking list following his victory in Yushan. Not only does this mean that he is back inside snooker’s elite rung on the ranking ladder, but it also ensures that he will automatically qualify for the venue stages of the Shanghai Masters in September.
Furthermore, with no prize money to defend for the rest of the year, the only way looks to be up for the now four-time ranking event champion.
Dropping out of the top 16 on the other hand is German Masters champion Martin Gould, who pays the price for a 5-4 defeat to Hammad Miah in qualifying for the World Open. The good news for Gould however is that like Carter, he too has relatively little prize money to defend during the remainder of the season compared to those around him and so remains well in the mix to bounce back with strong results at upcoming tournaments.
Also worth mentioning is of course Indian Open champion Anthony McGill, who is up ten places from his starting position of 28th to 18th following his maiden title success in Hyderabad.
17-32
- NO CHANGE
There is no change to the players ranked inside the world’s top 32, a significant section of the rankings with those placed between 17-32 needing to win two fewer qualifiers than those immediately below to make it to Shanghai.
Most notably however, Ali Carter as already explained has firmly extricated himself from this particular battle, having started the season ranked 32nd.
The other big mover is the man who Carter defeated in the semi-finals last week, Thepchaiya Un-Nooh. Having started the season around £18,000 away from the top 32, the Thai player has closed the gap to little over £4,000 with Peter Ebdon now in his sights.
33-64
- NO CHANGE
Unsurprisingly there is also no change around the top 64 section of the rankings, with Yu Delu continuing to hold on to the last position.
This is to be expected at this stage of the season because with the top 64 at the end of last season retaining their ranking points and those who finished immediately outside of the top 64 relegated from the tour, there will usually be a gap to the 65th ranked player (who will be on the second year of a two-year tour card).
During the course of the season however, the gap will be closed with those inside the top 64 needing to defend prize money earned two years ago, while for those below them it is all gain and nothing to be deducted.
Following the action in Yushan the gap between Yu and closest challenger Alfie Burden is down to £13,800, with Nigel Bond, Martin O’Donnell and Jamie Cope also in pursuit.
