Day Stunned By King Louis
Tour debutant Louis Heathcote scored a shock 4-3 win over former champion Ryan Day as the Kaspersky Riga Masters qualifiers got underway in Sheffield.
Leicester’s Heathcote was playing his first match as a professional having come through Q School two weeks ago, and it will be a result to remember for the 21-year-old as he knocked out world number 18 Day, who won this tournament in 2017.
After sharing the first four frames, Day made a break of 83 to lead 3-2. But Heathcote took frame six on the colours then dominated the last with a top run of 39 to book his place in the final stages in Latvia, which run from July 26 to 28.
Ali Carter saw off Xu Si 4-1 while China’s up-and-coming Yuan Sijun made a 136 as he beat Noppon Saengkham 4-2.
Ricky Walden top scored with 131 as he beat Si Jiahui 4-1 while Luca Brecel beat Andy Hicks 4-0 with a top break of 70. Yan Bingtao came from 2-1 down to beat Anthony McGill 4-2.
The Riga qualifiers run until Thursday, to be followed by the International Championship qualifiers.