Pakistan’s Asjad Iqbal reached the last 32 of a ranking event for the first time with a marvellous break of 64 to beat Jimmy Robertson in the second round of the BetVictor Shoot Out.
Iqbal is playing on the pro tour for the first time this season after coming through Asia-Oceania Q School in 2022, and has enjoyed some impressive results, notably beating Barry Pinches and Gerard Greene to reach the third qualifying round of the UK Championship.
And the 31-year-old has shown his quality on live television this week in Leicester, seeing off David Gilbert in the first round and then coming from 33-9 down to beat Robertson with an excellent clearance.
Michael Holt, who won this event in 2020 before being relegated from the tour two years later, scraped past Robbie McGuigan. Holt led 16-8 when he went in-off, gifting his opponent a chance, but McGuigan potted just one red before missing the pink and that proved the key moment.
“I am absolutely blessed!” Holt told Eurosport. “If you want to have a run in this tournament you need a bit of luck. In this format you are always so close to losing. You have to take it for what it is, you have to embrace the atmosphere and enjoy the chaos.”
Julien LeClercq made the highest break of the day so far with a 93 to beat Haydon Pinhey. The tour rookie from Belgium said: “I am very happy to win the frame in one visit. The crowd is so funny and I really enjoy it. I am starting to win more matches and get confidence.”
David Grace trailed Ashley Hugill 42-46 with the clock running down, but enjoyed a massive fluke on the last red, escaping from a snooker, and added the black for victory.
Mark Davis compiled a run of 66 to knock out Shaun Murphy, while 2014 Shoot Out winner Dominic Dale made a 42 as he beat Ken Doherty.
Ali Carter came from 37-0 down to beat Gerard Greene while Fergal O’Brien made an excellent 65 to beat Jackson Page.
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