Home favourite Mark Allen thrilled the Belfast crowd in a 4-0 victory over Liu Hongyu to reach the last 32 of the BetVictor Northern Ireland Open.
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Allen won this title in 2021 and 2022 and would raise the roof again at the Waterfront Hall if he lifts the Alex Higgins Trophy for a third time on Sunday night. "The support I get here is amazing and I really appreciate it," said the world number three, who fired breaks of 71, 76 and 70 during a convincing display.
"I didn't deserve that from them in the first few years I played in this event because I wasn't getting the results, but hopefully now I'm repaying them and trying to put on a show. It would mean everything to win it again, but I'm keeping that at the back of my mind, I'm just trying to enjoy it."
Allen had to pull out of the recent Wuhan Open because his mother was unwell, but thankfully her health has since improved and he made the decision to compete this week. "I feel I have turned a corner in my game and I'm playing good stuff," added the Antrim cueman, who meets Wu Yize or Oliver Lines next. "I also have to mention that the conditions were beautiful tonight and I told the table fitters after the game."
British Open runner-up John Higgins continued his recent revival as he recovered from 1-0 down to beat Fan Zhengyi 4-2 with runs of 66, 139, 53 and 62.
Hong Kong's Wang Yuchen enjoyed one of his best ever wins as he beat Jack Lisowski 4-3, making an 82 in the decider. Barry Hawkins came from 2-1 down to beat Matthew Stevens 4-2 while Anthony McGill top scored with 75 as he won a Glasgow derby against Stephen Maguire by a 4-1 scoreline.