Stan Moody continued to build his reputation as one of snooker's best up-and-coming talents as he thrashed Crucible finalist Jak Jones 4-0 to set up a clash with Kyren Wilson at the BetVictor Northern Ireland Open.
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Moody is through to the last 16 of a ranking event for the third time in his short career and will meet World Champion Wilson in an intriguing clash in Belfast on Thursday evening. Victory would give 18-year-old Moody his first quarter-final.
During a tough rookie season in 2023/24, the teenager won only eight matches, but Moody has clearly improved this term and has 12 victories under his belt already, beating the likes of Zhang Anda, Tom Ford, Ryan Day and now Jones.
"I wasn't ready to beat the better players last season, I needed to change my game," said Yorkshire's Moody, who fired breaks of 92 and 103 tonight. "That's what I have worked on, and it has paid off. I have always known that I could play to this level and I am doing it more this season. I am playing the right shots at the right time. Last season I was going for one too many, so I have had to reign it in a bit, while also keeping my natural attacking side.
"I have changed my diet completely and done some fitness work. I feel a lot better for it and that's another reason I'm doing well. I grew up wanting to have the chance to compete against the best players on the TV table, showing what I can do and hopefully winning."
Wilson edged out Anthony McGill 4-3 in a battle which had echoes of their epic 2020 Crucible semi-final, which the Englishman won 17-16. He is chasing a second title of the season having landed the Xi'an Grand Prix in August.
World number two Wilson took the opening frame tonight with a break of 77 then McGill hit back with 112 and 131 to lead 2-1. The Scot's momentum was stopped in frame four when he went into the pack on 50 and was unlucky to see a red drop in. Wilson cleared with 62, then his break of 70 in frame five put him 3-2 ahead. In the sixth, Wilson looked set for victory until he missed the last red to a top corner at 40-37, and his opponent punished him to set up the decider.
Both players had chances and it came down to the colours, McGill making two mistakes on the green which cost him. First he went in-off, and later knocked the green on to the black which dropped into a corner pocket, ending his hopes.
"I don't know what it is when we play each other!" said a relieved Wilson. "When we got down to the green, I said to him 'I'm not sure I'm ready for this again' and he said 'just don't fluke it this time!' I played some good stuff earlier in the match and hopefully I can show more of that tomorrow."
Neil Robertson, front-runner for the £150,000 BetVictor Home Nations Series bonus, needed just 56 minutes to beat Wang Yuchen 4-0 with a top break of 100. Mark Williams' 4-1 win over Noppon Saengkham was highlighted by a 143 total clearance in the third frame, the highest break of the tournament so far.