ASHLEY HUGILL sealed a 4-2 upset win over Pang Junxu in the BetVictor English to secure a joint-career-best last 16 appearance in ranking events.
In the first meeting of the two players, world number 57 Junxu got off to the brighter start, making a 60 break en route to winning the opener 92-42.
Melbourne's Hugill rallied to go 2-1 in front, winning frames two and three 79-32 and 78-9 respectively.
The China talent, who won the World Snooker Tour's rookie of the year award in 2021, emphatically levelled the tie at 2-2 thanks to a match-high 121, winning the frame 121-9.
Hugill, the world number 98, showed his character to bounce back and win the last 32 tie, prevailing 70-8 in frame five before potting the final black to cross the winning line, taking frame six 60-59.
Victory for Hugill saw the 28-year-old achieve a best showing at the English Open and equal a career-best in ranking events, having thrice before made the last 16.
Tonight Hugill faces ex-German Masters champion Martin Gould for a spot in the quarter-finals (7pm).
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