Reanne Evans, the first woman to play on the main tournament circuit in 15 years, lost her debut match 4-2 to Liu Chang at the Players’ Tour Championship.

Evans is a six times womens’ world champion and is only 24. She was invited onto the pro circuit after winning her last 61 matches. She beat men’s world champion John Higgins back in December at the Six Reds World Championship, showing she can cut it against the best in the world.

Should she win two matches against professional players – she is one of 32 amateur players with this opportunity – she will qualify to play in the World Open.

I’m all for women playing on the professional snooker tour. It’s not the sort of sport where gender matters, no advantage to being male or female and they should be able to compete against one another.

It would be fantastic to see a couple of women line up alongside Higgins, O’Sullivan and the plethora of quality Chinese players at the Crucible in the World Championship.

Allison Fisher was the first woman to play on the professional snooker circuit but didn’t make much headway and, feeling she didn’t get the same respect as the men, quit to play pro pool in the States where she has been hugely successful, being nominated to join join the Billiard Congress of America Hall of Fame.

It is to be hoped Reanne, and more like her, have more success in snooker and that times have changed and they will be accepted readily into the game.

As someone who has been soundly beaten on the baize by several women over the years, I know they can play. Let’s just give them a chance!