Snooker Shoot Out 2023: Teenager Shaun Liu, 13, picks up big win, Chris Wakelin beats Pang Junxu to kick off defence

The 2023 Snooker Shoot Out kicked off in exciting fashion on day one as 13-year-old Shaun Liu claimed a big win over Ishpreet Singh Chadha, while defending champion Chris Wakelin also got off to a winning start.

Wakelin built up an early lead of 37 against Pang Junxu but suffered something of a scare after a missed red allowed his opponent back into the frame.

Pang made 62 but Wakelin was able to book his passage to the next round with an impressive clearance, finishing with a 72-62 win.

An entertaining opening day of action also saw 13-year-old prodigy Liu claim a huge scalp with a 57-54 win over Chadha.

The Indian player, who beat former world champion Stuart Bingham at the first round of the British Open earlier this year, looked to be in control until a miss handed his opponent a chance.

Liu was able to capitalise to build a lead and as Chadha returned to the table, was unable to beat the clock while chasing down his young opponent.

“I just did my best,” Liu told Eurosport afterwards. “I don’t think too much about winning and losing. Just enjoying it.

“A bit nervous but I always do my best and a bit surprised I won.”

He added: “I found a lot of players to practice with. It’s fun. I love the crowd.”

In the battle of two more young up-and-coming talents, 18-year-old Jiang Jun got the better of 16-year-old Joel Connolly 38-35.

Another youngster in Liam Davies managed to book his place in round two after a thrilling victory over Lyu Haotian.

Davies looked to be heading out as his opponent built up a healthy lead, but a missed red and foul opened the door for the 16-year-old.

With barely a second to spare, the Welsh youngster sank the necessary blue to get the crowd on their feet as he took the win 53-52.

Namesake Alfie Davies was next up and emerged from a low-scoring safety battle with Joe Perry to claim a 16-5 victory.

A dominant display from Ali Carter saw ‘the Captain’ dispatch Ross Muir with ease 86-1, and it was a similar story as Barry Pinches punished a missed Andrew Pagett blue to claim a comprehensive 77-6 win.

Another low-scoring encounter saw Elliot Slessor overcome Ryan Thomerson 13-1, while Iulian Boiko sent Ricky Walden crashing out courtesy of a 42-35 win.