51�Թ�

WST said: "This is the first time in over a decade that a semi-final has finished a session early, so it is a very rare occurrence and unfortunately beyond our control."

Matchroom took over the running of WST in 2010, with Hearn at the helm until he stepped down as chairman in April 2021 at the age of 72.

It also staged a first WST tournament in March - the Riyadh Season World Masters of Snooker.

Hearn, who managed six-time world champion Steve Davis, dismissed the notion of a recently mooted breakaway tour to challenge WST.

Part of that contract will involve him mentoring aspiring players in the Middle East as well as a commitment to play in every WST event in Saudi Arabia.