Jack Lisowski followed his landmark TV victory over Mark Selby in Galway with a second successive win over a world no.1 at the China Open in Beijing yesterday.
The 21 year-old produced an excellent performance to knock out 2011 champion Judd Trump in the last 32 – eventually coming from behind to win 5-3.
The Cheltenham cueist did so in style as well with five breaks over 60, including an impressive 131, and now could be a good outside bet for a strong run this week.
He failed to follow-up his triumph against Selby with another at the PTC Grand Finals but he is clearly brimming with confidence now and he will fancy his chances against either Mark Davis or Dechawat Poomjaeng – who play today.
Lisowski is finally proving the ability most of us already knew he possessed, with a place among the world’s elite seemingly a question of when and not simply if.
Of course, Lisowski’s story is not just one of exciting talent and intriguing prospect, but also one of huge respect as he battled through a scary cancer period in his teens.
He is fully fit now, though, and having found the necessary formula to beat the big guns he is a very dangerous opposition for any competitor in the field.
That wasn’t the only shock of yesterday’s play as John Higgins’ patchy form continued, the Scot being delivered his ticket home by the ‘Milkman’ Robert Milkins.
Higgins had a chance to win it 5-3 but crucially missed the final brown which let Milkins in to force a decider and go on to reach the second round while Rory McLeod has come from absolutely nowhere to beat Matthew Stevens 5-2.
McLeod was a regular at the venue stages of tournaments a couple of years ago but it has been rare to see him on our screens of late so he will undoubtedly be delighted.
Elsewhere, there were wins for Ali Carter and Shaun Murphy while defending champion Peter Ebdon went down in a low-quality affair to Marcus Campbell.
Today, the last 32 comes to a close with the final eight matches.
Irishman Ken Doherty will be hoping to put the disappointment of his home event earlier this month behind him when he takes on Ricky Walden, with the winner facing either Mark Selby or Mark King.
Form horse Mark Allen plays Anthony McGill while there is a battle of the Robertson between Neil and Jimmy.
But most eyes will be on the two ties of the round involving a pair of home-grown stars.
In the morning session, recent Grand Finals winner Ding Junhui takes on Barry Hawkins – another ranking event champion from this campaign.
And in the evening’s play, Stuart Bingham must cope with the unpredictability of Liang Wenbo, who when he is playing well can be a devastating scorer.
Finally, Mark Williams takes on the last remaining amateur player in the draw in teenager Lu Haotian.
The full draw can be viewed by clicking here.
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