Zhou Yuelong into second stage at Snooker Championship League

LONDON -- China's Zhou Yuelong reached the second stage of the Snooker Championship League after claiming one victory and two draws in the first stage group matches on Tuesday.

Zhou, 22, drew 2-2 with compatriot Zhao Jianbo and Ricky Walden, but a 3-0 victory over Gerard Greene secured him top spot in the group.

Tour rookie Zhao also collected five points from two draws and one win. However, the 17-year-old lost one more frame than Zhou in total.

Dominic Dale, the world number 70, also reached Stage Two after topping his group with two wins and one draw.

World no. 9 Stephen Maguire only managed to draw twice and was beaten by Dale 3-1.

The Championship League has been expanded to a full World Snooker Tour ranking event this season, featuring 128 players in three stages over 21 days.

Stage One involves 32 groups of four players, with the player who tops each group progressing to Stage Two.

Stage One will be played across two blocks of eight days: September 13-20 and September 28-October 5.