Career
He was ranked #1 in 2003 by the World Eight-ball Pool Federation. In 2001 he reached the last 16 of the World 9-Ball Championship in Cardiff, beating Steve Davis, along the way. Melling currently lives in Keighley, England, although he tours worldwide to pursue his 9-ball pool career.
This was his first major 9-Ball Pool tournament victory.
In November 2012 Chris took on part-time pool player Bobby Gwyther from Exmouth, Devon in a race to 25 for a £10,000 prizepot and was beaten 25-21. Afterwards he called his opponent "the most naturally gifted cueist" he"d ever seen.
In January 2013 he reached the final of the Chinese 8-Ball Masters, losing to Gareth Potts. He also lost to Potts in the final of the 2005 World Rules 8-Ball Championship.
Also in 2013 he reached the quarter finals of the World 9-Ball Championship, the World Masters, World Cup of Pool and finished 5th in the United States Open 9-Ball Championship.
In May 2014, Melling entered snooker Q School in an attempt to regain his professional status and defeated the likes of former professionals Daniel Wells and Chen Zhe 4–3 and 4–1 respectively, before winning his quarter-final match against Duane Jones 4–3 to earn a two-year tour card for the 2014/2015 and 2015/2016 seasons. This saw him become the first person to have been a professional in 8-Ball Pool, 9-Ball Pool and Snooker at the same time. Melling also played in the first round of the International Championship by defeating Luca Brecel 6–5 and was knocked out 6–1 by Zhou Yuelong.
His first victory at the venue stage of a ranking event came at the Welsh Open after he edged out Nigel Bond 4–3, before being whitewashed 4–0 by home favourite Michael White in the second round.
Non-Ranking Wins (1).
