Ukrainian teenager Boiko earns maiden World Championship qualifier win

Ukrainian teenager Iulian Boiko registered his maiden World Championship win as he got past Cyprus' Michael Georgiou in the first qualifying round on Thursday.

The 16-year-old, who was the youngest player to compete in the World Championship when he debuted in 2020 aged 14, beat Georgiou 6-4 at the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield and will now face David Grace on Friday in the second qualifying round of four.

Boiko went 4-1 up, then saw Georgiou battle back to level, before clinching the match via breaks of 61 and then 100.

Afterwards, he said he hoped he "made some people happier" amid the ongoing war in his homeland.

Boiko said in quotes on World Snooker's official website: "It has been very tough times for us with the war. I hope I made some people happier today.

"I think I have played a brilliant match. I am very happy to get the win and I hope I will have the momentum for the next round.

"The last frame was really very nervy for me. Michael had a couple of chances in the last frame and didn't manage to get a good run. I was really nervous, but composed at the same time. It was one of my best breaks and it was my highest break on the main tour."

Ireland's Fergal O'Brien will face Liam James Davies of Wales in the second qualifying round in Thursday's morning session, while 1997 world champion Ken Doherty takes on Rory McLeod on Friday.