Zhou Yuelong, heir apparent to Ding Junhui, shocks John Higgins at UK Championship

Sheffield-based Ding’s hopes of retaining his Triple Crown title were ended by Leeds potter David Grace in the second round, but four fellow Chinese players reached the last 16.

And Zhou staged a mighty shock in Milton Keynes, soundly beating Higgins 6-2 having lost their previous five meetings.

“Zhou probably didn’t play as well as he’s capable of, he missed a few that he doesn’t normally miss,” said the Scot.

“I really rate him as a player. He’s come over, learned the language, wants to improve and every time you see him he’s always practising.

“I think he’ll be the next player after Ding (Junhui) to break through and maybe win a really big tournament.”

“In the game, I didn’t really get anything going. Every time I got in, it was scrappy and nothing was really happening out there. I can hopefully put it down to a bad day at the office, come back and play better.”

Zhou, yet to win a ranking title despite reaching two finals last season, faces either Jack Lisowski or compatriot Xiao Guodong in the quarter-finals.

Two-time UK Championship winner Neil Robertson joined Zhou in the last eight with a 6-4 comeback win over Glaswegian Anthony McGill. The Australian – who reached the quarter-finals for the first time since winning the event outright in 2015 – looked at his commanding best and a break of 132 turned the tide.

“It wasn’t looking good at 4-3 but he missed a really easy red, and I was just happy to get the win in the end,” said Robertson.

“I closed it out well, although throughout the match I was trying to be a little bit too precise, a little too perfect. That last frame felt like the kind of frame I like to win – getting the balls open early.

“Anthony gives you a real battle. He never downs tools and never gives in.”

Watch the UK Championship LIVE on Eurosport and Eurosport app. Follow all the latest tournament news on Eurosport.co.uk

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