Aaron Hill secures spot at Northern Ireland Open

Aaron Hill has advanced to next week's BetVictor Northern Ireland Open in Belfast after recording a convincing 4-1 win over veteran David Lilley in qualifying in Sheffield.

Hill dashed to a 3-0 lead at Ponds Forge International Sports Centre, recording breaks of 92 and 53 in the opening two frames before Lilley responded in frame four.

However, the 21-year-old Cork potter won the fifth frame as Lilley, who only joined the professional ranks in 2019 after 30 years as an amateur, registered just a solitary point.

Hill will be joined in the last 64 of the world ranking event at the Waterfront Hall by Ken Doherty and Jordan Brown after their qualifying wins on Wednesday.

Brown's fellow Antrim man Mark Allen will bid for a hat-trick of titles in his home event, which begins on Monday.