14-year-old Moldovan breaks record with Snooker Shoot Out win

Vladislav Gradinari became the youngster player to win a televised match in a ranking event on the World Snooker Tour after beating Ng On Yee at the Snooker Shoot Out this afternoon.

The Moldovan, just 14, set a new record, bettering a similar feat when Ben Mertens downed experience Thai player James Wattana in 2019.

Last year Stan Moody hit the headlines as a 15-year-old when he came out on top in a match in the one-frame format.

Gradinari won the English Under-14 Championship recently and completed a dominant win over the three-time female world champion.

Ng was unfortunate in potting just a single red as the teenager won 40-1 in the 10-minute frame with little worry.

He will play in the second round on Friday. The draw has not yet been made.

Gradinari said: "It feels amazing. I played my best game in that I had some shots which I should have potted and I did. I'm happy with that.

"I felt calm. I moved to England two years ago. I've been playing snooker since the age of seven. Snooker is not really popular in Moldova. We only have three or four players in the whole country. I got into snooker from watching on TV with my mother and grandfather. I tried to play and I really liked it.

"I'm doing everything possible (to beceome a professional player). I can't wait for the second round."

Northern Ireland amateur champion Robbie McGuigan was also victorious.

The 18-year-old beat world number 61 Hammad Miah for a high-profile win on the back of his amateur success.

Jordan Brown also claimed victory over James Cahill. Several other Irish players, including Ken Doherty, are in action later today.