Townsend Stuns Defending Champion to Join Perry, Dale and Canavan in the Quarters
Wayne Townsend stunned defending champion Igor Figueiredo 4-2 on his Crucible debut to emotionally reach the quarter-finals of the 2025 JenningsBet World Seniors Snooker Championship.
The Englishman will face former champion Aaron Canavan in the quarter-finals after he overcame Andrew Norman 4-2 in the concluding match of the opening day, while recent former professionals Joe Perry and Dominic Dale set up a mouthwatering last eight clash with respective 4-2 wins against Brazil’s Fabio Anderson Luersen and England’s Craig Steadman.
A total of 16 players from nine countries embarked on the sport’s most iconic venue for the latest edition of the World Seniors Snooker Championship and the opening day, which came less than 48 hours after Zhao Xintong lifted snooker’s biggest prize at the same venue.
The big story of the day saw an emotional Townsend end the hopes of defending champion Figueiredo at the first hurdle in dramatic fashion, taking both the first and last frames on the final black to get over the line a 4-2 victor.
Post-match, Townsend said: “I’m on cloud nine. It’s not fully sunk in but I’ve calmed down a little bit now. It doesn’t come better than this – I was playing the world champion and I’ve knocked him out! There’s no reason why I can’t be the world champion and there is nobody here I can’t beat.”
He will face 2018 World Seniors Snooker champion Canavan in the last eight after he downed fellow qualifier Norman to reach the quarter-finals.
The current World Seniors Snooker world number one lost the opener but hit back with a break of 89 and from there, he never looked back as he took the next three frames to get over line and set up a meeting with Townsend.
“I felt well today, I’ve been practicing hard for the past three or four weeks so I’m very happy with the shape of my game. I’ve been lucky enough to play here a few times so it is getting more familiar which, in turn, means you don’t put so much pressure on yourself. If you enjoy it then the chances are that you will play better.” Canavan reflected after the match.
Earlier in the day, seniors snooker debutants Perry and Dale made the perfect start to life after retirement from the professional ranks by each reaching the last eight during the event’s opening session.
In the opening match of the day, Perry and Pan-American Seniors champion Luersen put on a stunning display as ‘The Gentleman’ hit breaks of 76, 76 and 94 while his Brazilian opponent countered with a 74 of his own to put the scoreline at 3-1.
Luersen narrowed the deficit to one by taking frame five but it was too little too late as a confident Perry got over the line in the next to set up a enthralling quarter-final clash with Dale.
Perry said: “I really enjoyed it. I was a little bit nervous which I was pleased about, I didn’t want to be flat and not care. If I score like that when I get my chances then it’s going to be a good game for someone to beat me.”
Fellow recently-retired former professional Dale secured a 4-2 victory over European Seniors champion Steadman to become the second player into the last eight.
The match got off to a scrappy start but Dale was able to take the first two frames before Steadman hit back to restore parity. ‘The Spaceman’ had scored just five points in the previous two frames but was able to step up a gear with contributions of 40 and 107 to book his place in the last eight.
“I’m really pleased with my response from 2-2. To win a tournament at the Crucible would be fantastic – it’s a special place to play!” Dale said after the match.
The first round concludes tomorrow from 12:00 BST with Jimmy White, Ken Doherty, Tony Drago and Tony Knowles in action live on Channel 5 and 5Action.
