WDBS Rankings | German Open 2023 Update

The official WDBS rankings have been updated for the final time in 2023 following the conclusion of the inaugural German Open in Russelsheim last weekend.

• View the updated rankings at the WDBS website
• View the updated rankings via WPBSA SnookerScores
• View further information about the ranking system

The WDBS ranking system includes individual ranking lists for each of the main classification groups, with players earning points from based upon their finishing position at designated ranking tournaments.

The rankings operate on a rolling two-year basis, with points earned during 2021/22 to be removed during the course of this season. At this revision points earned at the 2021 Stockport Open and 2021 Hull Open were removed and those earned at the 2023 German Open were added.

Taylor to the Top!

There is a change at the top of the Group 8 standings for the first time since the introduction of the WDBS rankings in April 2020 as Gary Taylor has overtaken Shabir Ahmed following his quarter-final run in Germany.

Having entered the event 4,950 points behind Ahmed, Taylor was defending only 450 points following his group stage exit at the 2021 Hull Open. With his last eight performance in Germany, the reigning Stockport and Belgian Open champion therefore increases his two-year total to 41,000 points.

For Ahmed, however, he has a net loss of 4,200 points, with the 6,000 points that he earned by reaching the Hull final two years ago, replaced by just 1,800 from his quarter-final run in Germany. This means that his overall total now sits at 40,400.

Behind the top two, Lewis Knowles and Luke Drennan both maintain their previous points totals, having matched their Hull results by winning the title and falling at the semi-final stages respectively.

It promises to be an intriguing four-way fight over the coming months with Ahmed set to defend maximum points following his victories at the 2022 UK Championship and Hull Open events, while Taylor, Knowles and Drennan – who would have become number one with victory in Germany – all have a similar amount to fall this season.

Closing Gaps

Away from Group 8, a number of groups have seen the gaps close at the top of the rankings with Tony Southern (Group 1-2), Mickey Chambers (Group 5), Alan Reynolds (Group 6A) and Leroy Williams (Group 6B) all absent during the weekend.

Most notably, Group 5 could be set to see a change at the top in the near future, with long-term number one Chambers set to defend a large number of points during the next 12 months, while Matthew Haslam also has an opportunity to catch Leroy Williams if he can maintain the form that has seen him claim three ranking titles in 2023.

In Group 3, there are gains for Kit Kennedy and Adam Wilk, with Nigel Coton having lost points from Stockport 2021, while David Church is up to second place in Group 4, having ended a title drought stretching back to the 2018 Champion of Champions.

Peter Geronimo has gained one position in Group 6B following his run to the final in Russelsheim, while Mike Gillespie remains top of Group 7, with closest chaser Dylan Rees set to defend maximum points early next year following his win at the 2022 UK Championship.

The WDBS Tour continues with the British Open in January, with no points due to be removed at that cut-off. Entry for the event remains open via WPBSA SnookerScores.