Lei Peifan beats Wu Yize in ‘China derby’ Scottish Open final, rises more than 40 places
The Chinese player led from start against compatriot Wu Yize to become only the ninth player from China to win a ranking tournament
New Scottish Open champion Lei Peifan has seen his world ranking shoot up by more than 40 places after winning his career-first ranking title in Edinburgh, Scotland on Sunday.
The 21-year-old Chinese beat compatriot Wu Yize 9-5 in the final at the Meadowbank Sports Centre, becoming the ninth player from China to win a ranking tournament, and only the third one – after Yan Bingtao and Fan Zhengyi – to do so having been born since the start of the millennium.
The victory, along with the £100,000 (HK$982,351) in prize money, raised Lei’s ranking from world No 84 to No 43.
“Honestly, it feels so unexpected to win the title,” said Lei, who lost his professional status twice in 2021 and 2023, and regained it again only in March by winning the Asia-Pacific Championship. “I initially just wanted to better my previous best result, which was the last 16.
“Reaching that stage already felt satisfying, so I played with no pressure and didn’t overthink things.”
In a match between two players from the northwestern part of China, Lei, who was born in Shaanxi, never trailed in the final, putting himself in a leading position with four straight frames from the start.
