YORK snooker star Ashley Hugill pulled off another major upset as he knocked reigning European Masters champion Fan Zhengyi out of the Gibraltar Open.
Hugill, who is the world ranked 79, edged the best of seven frames clash 4-3 as he twice came from behind to prevail over the world number 35.
The victory for Hugill is his fourth from eight matches this year, having previously beaten Liam Highfield, Jack Lisowski and Ali Carter, all of whom sit significantly above him in the world rankings.
Against Zhengyi, Hugill made a good start by winning the first frame 58-17.
The Chinese youngster hit back to win the next two frames, taking the low-scoring second 54-18 and claiming the third on a 72-32 scoreline.
Hugill ensured that the scores would remain level at the mid-session interval after a dominant fourth frame that finished 95-7.
After the break, Zhengyi produced the match’s first half-century-plus break (60) to move one frame away from victory.
But Hugill responded with interest as a century break (102) teed up a final-frame decider.
The York ace snatched the decisive seventh frame 68-24 to set up a second round match with former World Championship finalist Nigel Bond.
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