Brian Cini beaten by China’s Yang Gao in World Amateurs Snooker final

The IBSF World Snooker Championships came to a close on Saturday when Brian Cini was beaten by young Chinese player Yang Gao 5-3 in a highly-balanced final.

Gao started strongly, winning the opening frame.

However, Cini kept his composure and turned the match in his favour after securing the second and third frame with runs of 67 and 78 respectively.

Parity was restored by Gao in the fourth frame as he managed to go into the interval level at 2-2.

Both players started to miss crucial balls in the fifth and sixth frames but still managed to keep the overall parity when locked at three-all.

Gao moved just one frame away from victory when taking the second frame, leaving Cini with no option but to win the next two frames to secure the title.

The eighth frame turned out to be a hard-fought one with Gao at one point holding a two-point lead, 37-35.

In the end, Gao’s superiority in his defensive play gave him the edge as he produced two snookers that proved fatal for Cini who conceded 26 points and from then on the Chinese player was firmly in control to seal the frame and the final.

By virture of this victory, the 20-year-old Gao will become professional player on the World Snooker Tour.

The young player has already some experience in the professional circuit as he managed to win the WSF Junior Open that was held in Malta handed him the right to play in pro tour between 2020 and 2022.

Prior to his success in Malta, Gao was handed a wild card for the World Open, held in China, in 2019.

Gao had lost his professional status last year during last year’s edition when he had lost the final in the tournament held in Albania.

On the other hand, Cini, as a runner-up in the tournament, will have the opportunity to take part in the World Championship qualifiers that will be held in Sheffield, England, in April.