Chris Wakelin staged an impressive comeback to win the Scottish Open with a 9-2 victory over Chang Bingyu in Edinburgh on Sunday. The 33-year-old Englishman, ranked 17th in the world, turned the match around after trailing 2-1 to dominate the afternoon session, winning eight consecutive frames to secure the title and £100,000 in prize money.

Wakelin’s Remarkable Performance

Wakelin produced seven 50-plus breaks in the final, showcasing his clinical form as Bingyu, 23, struggled to keep up. The victory marks Wakelin’s second ranking title, following his first win at the 2023 Snooker Shoot Out in January.

Reflecting on his triumph, Wakelin told TNT Sports:

“When we arrived here I had no expectations at all, and the last few weeks we’ve had some issues at home. My only objective this week was to walk in the building and get my cue out, so to be the winner is just magic.”

Despite personal challenges—including recovering from pneumonia and caring for his one-year-old daughter Mia, who was teething—Wakelin delivered a composed and dominant performance in the final.

Chang Bingyu’s Road to the Final

Bingyu, ranked 70th in the world, impressed throughout the tournament, making nine century breaks. He defeated 2023 World Champion Kyren Wilson in the third round, four-time world champion Mark Selby in the quarter-finals, and world number 10 Mark Allen in the semi-finals.

Wakelin paid tribute to his opponent, saying:

“Bingyu is an absolute credit to the sport. He’s a phenomenal talent and definitely one to watch out for—I’m sure he’ll be back in a big final soon.”

Key Takeaways

• Chris Wakelin wins the Scottish Open 9-2 against Chang Bingyu.
• Wakelin won eight consecutive frames after trailing 2-1.
• The 33-year-old secured £100,000 and his second ranking title.
• Chang Bingyu impressed with nine century breaks in the tournament.
• Wakelin overcame personal challenges, including pneumonia and family matters, to lift the trophy.