Gould and Maguire both need a deep run in China

The China Open, which starts on March 27, will be the final opportunity for players currently outside the top 16 to earn a place among the elite, ahead of the seeding cut-off for the Betfred World Championship.

The top 16 after the China Open will enjoy an automatic place at the Crucible, while all other players will need to win three matches at Ponds Forge in Sheffield to earn a spot at the Theatre of Dreams.

As is stands, 15 of the top 16 seeds are already safe, everyone down to Anthony McGill on this list . So the only players in danger of being knocked out is Ryan Day, and the fact that he has not qualified for Beijing will leave him hoping results go his way in the Far East

There will be nine players at the China Open who have a chance to overtake Day:

Joe Perry and Martin Gould could earn a top 16 spot by reaching the semi-finals, if other results go their way;

David Gilbert, Mark King and Ricky Walden must at least reach the final;

Michael Holt, Mark Williams, Alan McManus and Stephen Maguire must win the £85,000 top prize to have a chance.

Judd Trump’s victory at the Ladbrokes Players Championship in Llandudno earned him £125,000 and moved him up to second place in the official world rankings, ahead of Stuart Bingham though still nearly £350,000 behind Mark Selby.

Anthony Hamilton reached the quarter-finals in North Wales and – having almost been relegated from the tour last year – he’s now up to 25th in the world, having earned £134,925 this season.

Trump’s success also secured him a place at the Champion of Champions in November.

Source: worldsnooker.com

All results, the tournament table and statistics China Open 2017 available here.