Poomjaeng Knocks Out Williams – World Snooker – Snooker Freaks

Crowd favourite Dechawat Poomjaeng delighted his fans by beating Mark Williams to reach the fourth round of the BetVictor Shoot Out.

Match schedule

Thailand’s charismatic Poomjaeng has entertained supporters in Leicester this week with his antics around the table, and he’s through to the last 16 of a ranking event for the fourth time in his career and has the chance to reach his first quarter-final when he plays Liam Highfield.

Three-time World Champion Williams led 12-0 early in the frame but Poomjaeng converted a plant on a red, knocked in an excellent pot on the blue and went on to make 45 which proved decisive.

That leaves Jack Lisowski as the only top-16 ranked player left in the event – he came from 22-0 down to beat Mark Davis with a run of 41.

Saturday afternoon’s 16 winners will return at 7pm tonight, with the champion to be crowned before 11pm.

Julien LeClercq turned pro last year after winning the Q Tour Play-Off and the 19-year-old has underlined his potential by winning three matches. He came from 21-0 down to beat Fergal O’Brien with a break of 37, setting up a tie with China’s Yuan Sijun.

“I had to wait for a chance, then I got it with a good safety and made 37 which was enough,” LeClercq told Eurosport. “It’s unbelievable to get this far on my first time in the Shoot Out. It would be crazy if I could win it. I enjoy it a lot.”

Vladislav Gradinari, the 14-year-old from Moldova, saw his run ended by a break of 91 from Leicester’s Tom Ford.

Ali Carter set a new target for the £5,000 high break prize with a superb 117 to beat Cao Yupeng, potting the last black in the final second to eclipse the 116 made in the first round by Michael Holt.

“I couldn’t hear myself think out there, what an adrenaline buzz,” said Carter. “It’s so frustrating if you don’t get a chance. You can do nothing wrong and lose, or loads wrong and win. I’m delighted to be back for the last 16 tonight.”

Dominic Dale beat Asjad Iqbal despite being pulled up for a time foul by referee Mark King. Dale led 21-0 when he potted the blue only for King to call the foul. The match was paused for a video review and the referee’s decision was correct. Iqbal’s counter-attack ended when he missed the black off its spot when he led 30-21, and Dale kept his composure to score a match-winning 36.

Dale is one of three former winners in the last 16. Holt beat Fan Zhengyi with a run of 91 while Michael White got the better of Alexander Ursenbacher.

Holt is one of two amateurs in the field, along with Daniel Wells who saw off Ben Woollaston.