In a stunning comeback, Thailand’s Mink Nutcharut rallied from a 1-3 deficit to defeat world champion Bai Yulu 4-3 in an exhilarating final at the WSF Women’s Championship held in Saïdia, Morocco.

This remarkable victory marks the 25-year-old’s second world ranking title, following her success at the Australian Women’s Open last October. Mink’s triumph in Morocco not only adds to her accolades but also extends an impressive streak, as she has claimed the first title of the calendar year for four consecutive years, from 2022 to 2025. This consistency highlights her skill and determination in the competitive world of women’s snooker.

With this latest victory, Mink has now secured her ninth title in a world ranking event, placing her among the elite group of the top 10 most successful players in the history of the World Women’s Snooker Tour. She joins the ranks of legends such as Reanne Evans, Allison Fisher, Kelly Fisher, and Karen Corr, reaching a significant milestone that equates her with both Lynette Horburgh and Mandy Fisher in terms of total titles won.

Despite the disappointment of defeat, Bai Yulu, the 21-year-old runner-up, has achieved a new career-high world ranking of number three, surpassing England’s Reanne Evans for the first time. Bai’s impressive performance has seen her reach six finals in her eight tournaments thus far, securing three titles in this competitive season, demonstrating her rising status in the sport.

The final match in Saïdia mirrored last season’s championship showdown, where Bai narrowly triumphed 6-5 on the final pink ball. In this rematch, Bai started strong, establishing a 2-0 lead with impressive breaks of 49, 41, and 32. The following two frames were shared, positioning Bai just one frame away from securing her second trophy of the season after her earlier victory at the UK Championship.

However, the world number one, Mink, was not to be outdone. She showcased her exceptional skills by scoring her highest break of the match with a remarkable run of 65, narrowing the gap to just one frame. Following this, Mink continued to build momentum, winning the next frame and pushing the match into a decisive seventh frame that kept spectators on the edge of their seats.

In the final frame, both players had their chances, but it was Mink who seized the early advantage with a break of 36. A crucial long pot on the brown ball, followed by successful pots of blue and pink, ultimately secured her victory and allowed her to avenge her previous loss to Bai in Dongguan Changping last March.

Additionally, Mink achieved the highest break of the entire tournament with her impressive run of 80 during the round-robin stage, surpassing Bai’s maximum attempt of 73, which she recorded in her quarter-final victory over Narucha Phoemphul. This showcases not only Mink’s talent but also her ability to perform under pressure, solidifying her status as a leading player in women’s snooker.

Exciting Developments in the Challenge Cup for Emerging Snooker Talent

The Challenge Cup, designed for players who did not advance to the quarter-finals, saw Moroccan player Hind Bennani emerge victorious. She defeated Yasmine Eythrib 2-0 to claim her inaugural title on the WWS Tour.

Bennani, who has previously participated in prestigious events like the UK Championship and the Belgian Open, showcased her exceptional talent throughout the tournament. Remarkably, she did not drop a single frame as she triumphed over opponents including Soukaina Alouane, former African Games champion Yousra Matine, and ultimately Eythrib on Wednesday, culminating in a well-deserved trophy lift.

The World Women’s Snooker organization expresses gratitude to all who contributed to this historic first-ever world ranking tournament in Africa. Special thanks go out to the World Snooker Federation, Morocco Snooker, and the stunning Radisson Blu venue for their invaluable support in making this event a success.

As the excitement continues, the 2024/25 season will feature the Belgian Women’s Open from February 7-9, 2025, in Bruges. Don’t miss your chance to participate; register now through WPBSA SnookerScores.