Here are the reports by WST on day two in Cheltenham

Afternoon session

UNIBET BRITISH OPEN DAY TWO

Ukranian teenager Iulian Boiko scored what he described as the best win of his career so far, beating Si Jiahui 4-1 in the second round of the Unibet British Open.

Flamboyant cueman Boiko, who turned 19 the day before this event in Cheltenham started, is not currently on the pro tour but earns invites to certain events as one of the leading players in the Q School rankings. And he has taken advantage this time, beating Farakh Ajaib in the qualifying round then knocking out world number 13 Si to set up a last-32 tie with Jak Jones or Alfie Burden.

“It’s my biggest win on the pro tour because I really rate Si,” said Boiko, whose top break today was 78. “I’m really happy with result. I have had a few tournaments recently so I feel sharp. My schedule is busy because I can play in amateur and pro events. But I much prefer the pro tour because the atmosphere and the venues are great, and I bring my best game.“

English Open champion Neil Robertson maintained his momentum with a 4-1 win over Chris Totten, making breaks of 100, 99, 86 and 53. Looking back on his success in Brentwood, his 24th ranking title and first for two years, the Thunder said: “A victory after a tough time is always far sweeter. When you are winning regularly you can take it for granted. This one was really special. My wife and kids have seen me struggling over the last years because they were used to me winning before. 

“My son Alexander would come back from school and a teacher had asked him why his dad was not winning any more. So it can impact your kids, they go through it as well. That was actually a chance for me to be a good example to him, by saying that you have to be patient and keep working hard and wait for things to turn around. As a dad, and as a sportsman who tries to inspire people watching on TV, that’s the influence you can have on the younger generation.  Last week, he was with me from the quarter-finals with two of his friends and they were all enjoying it.”

World number three Mark Allen fired runs of 102 and 101 as he beat Aaron Hill 4-1. Thepchaiya Un-Nooh got the better of a Thai derby against Noppon Saengkham by a 4-0 scoreline.

Chris Wakelin top scored with 99 as he earned a 4-2 win over English Open runner-up Wu Yize, while Stan Moody enjoyed an impressive 4-0 victory over Michael Holt.

Evening session

UNIBET BRITISH OPEN DAY TWO EVENING

Resurgent Luca Brecel believes he is playing well enough to win more titles and he reached round three of the Unibet British Open with a 4-2 defeat of Tian Pengfei.

World Champion in 2023, Brecel has struggled for results in ranking events over the past 16 months, and currently lies 58th on the provisional end of season list. But the 29-year-old Belgian has regained his enthusiasm for practice and is also working hard on his fitness with regular cycling. 

Breaks of 54 and 65 helped him build a 3-1 lead tonight, then Tian made a 133 to win frame and was unlucky not to make it 3-3 as he potted the final black in frame six, only for the cue ball to roll the length of the table and drop into a baulk corner. 

“I’m playing the best I have ever played in practice, and in matches I am making progress,” said Brecel, who now meets Anton Kazakov or Liam Davies. “Everything is sharp and I am in a good space. I am looking forward to this season more than ever. There are a couple of things to improve and I have not been used to winning a lot of games in a row, but I feel I am playing well enough to win the tournament.

“I have lost around ten kilos so I am feeling fit off the table. Cycling is great because I love being outdoors, it’s good for my body and mind. I used to look at rankings but not any more, I don’t even know where I am. It doesn’t matter because the way I am playing, I am never going to be really low. People keep busy with rankings. Did they really believe that Neil Robertson was never going to come back? If you are good, then you will always be good.“

Judd Trump is still waiting for his 1,000th career century, stuck on 999, but he’ll have another chance on Thursday as he beat Ryan Day 4-2 with a top break of 80. Trump will now face Mark Davis, who first played in this tournament in 1992. Veteran Davis scored a 4-2 success against Xiao Guodong.

Crucible runner-up Jak Jones saw off Alfie Burden 4-0, while 2015 World Champion Stuart Bingham beat Bulcsu Revesz 4-0 with a top run of 84. 

All the detailed results are on snooker.org

Regarding what Neil Robertson said, I really wonder what kind of teacher would ask such a question to a kid. Really? What are they expecting to get for an answer? Or was it petty revenge against a child who regularly “boast” about his father, who he admires and loves?

Iulian Boiko played really well, did not take unduly risks but did not go into his shell either. Really good stuff.

Wu Yize on the other hand didn’t play well. It never “clicked” for him yesterday. That was maybe to be expected after his huge efforts in the final in Sunday, especially as it was all in vain eventually. It must have taken a lot out of him.

Marco Fu played good stuff to beat Ma Hailong. Ma himself didn’t play badly. Between them they had five breaks over 50, including one century each. It’s great to see Marco playing well again and it might be important for the future of snooker in Hong Kong.

Stuart Bingham is another player who seems to be coming back to form. He scored heavily in whitewashing Bulcsù Révész. The third frame was a bit special: Bulcsù scored a break of 51, only for Stuart to steal it with an 84.