Latvia’s first ever professional Artemijs Zizins sealed the biggest win of his fledgling career, defeating China’s Xu Si 4-3 to reach the third round of the inaugural Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters.
Zizins was given a bye through yesterday's first round, after his opponent Kok Leong Lim didn't show up. The 18-year-old displayed a steeliness beyond his age today when he found himself on the ropes at 3-2 down.
A run of 71 took the match to a final frame, before Zizins made a tremendous break of 137 to clinch victory.
It’s the first time Zizins has made the third round of a ranking event, having turned professional at the start of the season. He successfully ran the gauntlet at Q School to clinch a maiden tour card. Next up this week the teenager faces fascinating clash with Thailand’s Thepchaiya Un-Nooh.
Jimmy White continued to roll back the years with a 4-1 defeat of Andrew Higginson. The 62-year-old safely negotiated round one with a 4-2 win over the UAE's Mohamed Shehab and today's win now sees White earn a third round meeting with Si Jiahui.
White said: "I do know how to win. You have to get on a run and you have to win a couple of matches. Andrew Higginson is a really tough player. I was pleased. There were a couple of small errors and negative thoughts. Other than that it was a good day's work."
Former German Masters winner Anthony Hamilton ended the run of 2022 Women’s World Champion Mink Nutcharut with a marathon 4-2 victory. Afterwards Hamilton admitted he would have to up his levels to get through his next match against Jamie Jones.
Hamilton said: “If I improve I can win. I’ve given myself a chance to improve, earn some money, have a good run and enjoy myself. That is all I can ask for.”
Graeme Dott scored a significant 4-3 win over Belgium's Julien Leclercq. The 2006 World Champion now progresses straight through to round four after Sam Craigie withdrew from the event.
Northern Irish rookie Robbie McGuigan battled hard to secure his second successive deciding frame victory, beating China’s Ma Hailong 4-3.
McGuigan narrowly overcame Saudi home favourite Abdulraouf Saigh in a final frame yesterday and this afternoon’s match was clinched with a nerveless break of 90 in the last. He now faces former Shoot Out winner Chris Wakelin.
Elsewhere Liu Hongyu was a 4-2 winner over Michael Holt, while Jimmy Robertson beat Egyptian wildcard Mohamed Elkhayat 4-2.