SNOOKER star Ashley Hugill has been knocked out of Cazoo British Open at the qualifying stage after a 4-3 defeat to Robbie Williams.

Melbourne’s Hugill began with a 61 break to win the opener 74-16 before a 66 break from Williams saw him draw level.

Back came Hugill via a match-high century break of 101, winning the third frame 101-16, before another Williams 66 break won him the fourth 66-0.

The two players exchanged 60-plus breaks to set up a final frame decider. World number 108 Hugill won the fifth 76-0, which included a 68 break, before world number 61 Williams claimed the sixth 86-38, which included a 63 break.

The seventh and final frame was the closest of the match with Williams prevailing by just three points at a 54-51 scoreline.

Next up for Hugill is the August 2022 BetVictor European Masters in which he will either face 2019 world champion Judd Trump or world number 38 Noppon Saengkham in the first round.

Trump and Saengkham face in qualifying at Germany's Stadthalle Furth on Tuesday afternoon (2.30pm) for the right to play Hugill in the main draw.

Hugill qualified for the European Masters through a 5-1 victory over Belgium's Julien Leclercq at Leicester's Morningside Arena last month.

He will be seeking to replicate his mazy run in the February European Masters in which he knocked out top 20 seeds Jack Lisowski and Ali Carter before being beaten by snooker legend and reigning world champion Ronnie O'Sullivan.