Champions League: Mertens beat the world runner-up and won the first place in the group, and Craigie made an upset advance to the top 32!

In the first phase of the World Snooker Champions League, which ended on July 11, 2025, Belgian talented golfer Mertens and England player Craigie advanced to the top 32 with the first place in the group.

In the 10th group match, Belgian player Mertens swept Ruze 3-0, drew 2-2 with Alfie Davis and 3-0 with Jack Jones, achieving a record of 7 points. In this way, Mertens successfully advanced to the top 32 and the second stage of the competition with the first place in the group.

In the 23rd group, Craigie swept Jimmy Robertson 3-0, drew 2-2 with Mark Davis and Connor Benzi to achieve a win, two draws and five points. In this way, Craigie ranked first in the group to the top 32 with a group score of 5 points and a goal difference.

Meltens played in a very strong competitive state in three games without defeat. In the first game, Mertens swept Ruz 3-0 with 131 points in a single shot and three consecutive wins. Immediately afterwards, Mertens drew 2-2 with 130 points and 131 points in a single shot. In this way, Mertens scored 4 points after the two games.

In the last game, Mertens met world runner-up Jack Jones. In this game, Mertens completely suppressed Jack Jones. After three games, Mertens swept Jack Jones 3-0 with three consecutive wins with 64 points, 59 points, 76 points and three consecutive wins. In this way, Mertens won the first place in the group with two wins and one draw and 7 points and advanced to the top 32.

Among other players in the same group, Alfie Davis drew 2-2 with Jack Jones and Mertens, 3-0 and swept Ruze with one win, two draws and five points. Jack Jones drew with Alfie Davis 2-2, swept Ruze 3-0 and lost to Mertens 0-3 with 4 points. Ruz ranked last with his record of losing all three games.

Creggie won the first place in the group with one win and two draws

In the 23rd group of the Champions League, Creggie staged a big upset. In the first game, Craigie scored 79 points in a single shot and won three consecutive games, sweeping over the strong Jimmy Robertson 3-0. Immediately afterwards, Craggie drew 2-2 with 66 points and 101 points in a single shot. In this way, Craigie scored 4 points after the two games.

In the last game, Craigie meets Connor Benzi. In this game, Connor Benzi performed well. Although Craigie once took a 2-0 lead, Connor Benzi then won two consecutive games and drew Craigie 2-2. So far, Craigie ranked first in the group with one win, two draws and five points and a goal difference advantage, thus successfully advancing to the top 32. Among other players in the same group, Mark Davis defeated Connor Benzi 3-1, drew 2-2 with Luz and Jack Jones, achieving one win, two draws and five points and ranking second. Jimmy Robertson lost to Craggie 0-3, swept Connor Benzi 3-0 and drew with Mark Davis 2-2 with 4 points. Connor Benzi ranked at the bottom of the group with one draw and two losses.

Judging from the overall performance of group players, it is a pity that Jimmy Robertson and Mark Davis were eliminated. Objectively speaking, Jimmy Robertson and Mark Davis are obviously stronger in this group. However, it is not a bad thing for Craigie to complete an upset promotion, at least it gives players with weaker strength a good opportunity to break through.