Post by : Mariam
Al-Faris
Ali Al Obaidly has reached the final of the World Snooker Championship (Qatar 2025), brilliantly hosted by the Qatar Billiards and Snooker Federation. This marks Al Obaidly’s second appearance in a championship final, following his previous victory in 2023, showcasing his remarkable skill and determination throughout the tournament.
The finals will be held on Thursday and feature some of the best international players. His journey to the final has highlighted his exceptional talent, culminating in a semifinal win against Harvey Chandler from England with a score of 5–2. The match was filled with tension, and the frame scores were (72–1), (120–1), (0–85), (66–78), (71–1), and (58–28). Al Obaidly started effectively, claiming the first three frames. Although Chandler fought back to win the next two, Al Obaidly regained control to clinch the final two frames.
This victory advances him to face the young Polish talent, Michal Zobarczyk, a formidable 14-year-old who defeated France’s Nicolas Mortreau 5–1 in his semifinal confrontation.
Earlier in the day, Al Obaidly had already shown his prowess by achieving a 4–0 victory against Germany’s Richard Weinold in the quarterfinals, demonstrating his readiness for the battles ahead.
In other quarterfinal matches, Zobarczyk edged out defending champion Mohammad Asif from Pakistan 4–3, Mortreau defeated China’s Ding Haohui by 4–1, and Chandler overcame Pakistan’s Asjad Iqbal with a score of 4–3.
Beginning at the group stage, Al Obaidly delivered an impressive performance, winning all three of his matches in Group 12, triumphing over Fong Kok Wai from Hong Kong 4–2, Ajeya Prabhakar from the USA 4–0, and Amir Sarkhosh from Iran 4–2. This stellar showing allowed him to bypass the initial knockout round as one of the top eight players.
In the Round of 16, he faced Chan King Kuang from Singapore, winning a nail-biting match 4–3. As he advanced through rounds, his confidence solidified, culminating in his strong semifinal performance.
After securing his semifinal win, Al Obaidly shared his joy and determination to excel in the final, attributing his success to the unwavering support of the Qatar Billiard Sports Federation. He remarked on the intense competition this year, featuring many top-ranked players.
Reflecting on his matches, he noted that the toughest challenge came from Amir Sarkhosh, which boosted his confidence and concentration. He emphasized the importance of focus and minimizing errors in such high-stakes games, as even minor mistakes can alter the course of the match.
As he prepares for the finale, Al Obaidly acknowledged his opponent Zobarczyk as a fearless and skilled young player while assuring fans that he is committed to giving his all for another title to Qatar.
His ongoing participation in international tournaments in Doha has prepared him well by enhancing his technical skills and strategic acumen. Al Obaidly concluded with a hopeful note, aiming to make his country proud and fulfill the expectations of both the federation and Qatari supporters. His remarkable journey has served as an inspiration for aspiring young athletes throughout Qatar.
The anticipation builds as the final match approaches on Thursday, with fans eager to see if Ali Al Obaidly can once again lift the World Snooker Championship title and etch his name into history.
English
