Mark Allen, Kyren Wilson and Ali Carter all have the chance to become the first top-16 ranked player to win the BetVictor Shoot Out, going into the final day in Swansea.
In the 12-year history of the event, the trophy has never been lifted by a player ranked among the top 16. Nor has any player won the title twice, and there are four left at Swansea Arena who could achieve that feat: Michael White, Thepchaiya Un-Nooh, Dominic Dale and Ryan Day.
There was a surprise defeat for local favourite Mark Williams on Friday evening as he lost to Hammad Miah, who goes through to meet Stan Moody in round three on Saturday afternoon.
Defending champion Chris Wakelin lost to Joe O’Connor in a thrilling finish. From 12-46 behind, Wakelin had a chance to snatch the tie, and when his break reached 32 he needed just two more pots in the last ten seconds for victory. But he missed a red with the rest and lost 44-46.
Oliver Lines made a break of 42 as he got the better of Robert Milkins, and the Leeds cueman hopes that Saturday could be a landmark day in his career.
“That was one of the first times I have enjoyed a match in the Shoot Out, I felt good,” said Lines. “You need a lot of luck to win this, but there’s no reason why it can’t be me. I like playing in front of a crowd – obviously I spend a lot of the time at qualifiers with not many people there. We play the game to compete in front of big crowds so I’m hoping it’s really busy and rowdy. I tend to put too much expectation on myself, and then when things don’t go to plan I get down on myself. I’m just trying to forget all that and play with a smile on my face.”
Ukraine’s 18-year-old Iulian Boiko is through to the last 32 of a ranking event for the first time in his career thanks to victory over Robbie Williams, while former Crucible king Graeme Dott beat Jackson Page with a superb break of 72.
Crowd favourite Jamie Clarke led Xu Si 42-23 with just 45 seconds remaining, but China’s Xu knocked in an excellent long red and to set up a rapid break of 24 to pinch the tie. Jimmy Robertson came from 36-1 behind to knock out David Gilbert with late runs of 23 and 16.
The action resumes at 1pm on Saturday, with the final to be played at around 10.30pm.
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