Ukrainian teenager Boiko on course to return to World Snooker Tour circuit via Q School

Iulian Boiko produced some superb scoring form to remain on course for a quickfire return to the main World Snooker Tour circuit at Q School.

The 18-year-old Ukrainian struggled to make the grade and dropped off the professional tour in 2020, two years after becoming the youngest pro in history aged 14 in 2020.

The Kyiv potter qualified after receiving a two-year card, having finished runner-up at the 2020 World Junior Championship final, and is now poised to secure a new two-year card by reaching the last 32 of event one at Q School.

On Friday, he enjoyed a 4-1 win over Andres Petrov that saw him weigh in with breaks of 79, 60, 94 and 52. He will face Artemijs Zizins on Saturday morning chasing three more victories in his quest to return to the big time.

Elsewhere, 1995 world semi-finalist Andy Hicks completed a 4-3 win over Sean Sullivan to reach the last 32 while there also a 4-2 win for Mark Joyce against Yu Kiu Chang.

The rounds of 32 and 16 will be completed on Saturday at the Mattioli Arena, host venue for this year’s Q School, before Sunday’s quarter-finals produce four winners, who all earn tour cards for the next two seasons.

The best-of-seven-frame encounters run between Tuesday May 21 until Sunday May 26 at qualifying event one. Qualifying event two begins on Monday May 27 until Saturday June 1 in Leicester, with the same process providing four more tour cards.

Two Asia and Oceania qualifying events in Bangkok (May 22 to 27 and May 28 to June 2) will see four more tour cards up for grabs.