Liam Pullen extended his memorable run from the first round of World Championship qualifying by beating Thepchaiya Un-Nooh on Sunday in Sheffield.
Un-Nooh had entered the preliminary competition at the English Institute of Sport as one of the most in-form players on the tour.
It was only a few short weeks ago when the Thai beat Judd Trump and Ronnie O’Sullivan en route to capturing the World Open crown in spectacular fashion.
But consistency for the 40 year-old has long been a problem, and he ultimately wasn’t able to handle a strong display from his young opponent.
Pullen, still just 20, trailed 6-5 but went on a four-frame winning burst to move within the brink of a place in the final round.
Un-Nooh managed to hang on for a little longer, but Pullen got his chance in the 17th frame and took full advantage – compiling an excellent 105 break to clinch it.
It adds to close victories he already secured in the tournament over Alfie Burden and Amir Sarkhosh, and Pullen will now be dreaming of making a maiden appearance at the Crucible Theatre.
It will be another player from Thailand on Judgement Day, with Noppon Saengkham representing Pullen’s last hurdle to overcome.
Saengkham emerged from a tough encounter on paper, beating former Crucible semi-finalist Ricky Walden with a 10-6 scoreline.
Stan Moody, meanwhile, also edged towards a debut spot in the last 32 of a World Championship.
Moody, who beat Pullen to win the WSF Junior Championship title three years ago, was a 10-5 winner over Robbie Williams.
The 19 year-old will likely have to deal with the pressure of the favourite’s tag on Judgement Day, with world no.78 Jiang Jun his final challenge to overcome.
Elsewhere, Jamie Jones did his tour survival aspirations a power of good by thumping Matthew Selt, with the former World Championship quarter-finalist set to face Antoni Kowalski in the last round.
Poland’s Kowalski inflicted a 10-8 defeat on Joe O’Connor to set up what will undoubtedly be the biggest match of his fledgling career so far.
Victory over Jones would obviously see him qualify for the main event for the first time, but it would simultaneously guarantee his tour survival for another campaign.
Jackson Page and Pang Junxu, who each have experience of reaching the last 16 in Sheffield, were the others to win on day seven of the qualifiers.
Several other round-three ties reached their halfway points.
The tie of the round was the clash between former world champion Luca Brecel and rising Chinese star Chang Bingyu.
It certainly didn’t disappoint, with Chang compiling his second 147 break of the season in a major tournament to land the lucrative £147,000 bonus prize.
The Scottish Open runner-up leads Brecel 5-4, setting up a grandstand finish when their match concludes on Monday afternoon.
The remaining fixtures from the third round will also be played to a finish on Monday with the likes of Jack Lisowski, Ali Carter, and Stephen Maguire finally having their opportunity to enter the fray.
More information on the draw, including the schedule and results, is available by clicking here.
Featured photo credit: WST
