
Davies is one of 16 amateurs handed a qualifying spot after reaching the semi-finals of the WSF Junior Championship
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Welsh teenager Liam Davies has become the youngest winner of a World Championship match after beating Ireland's Aaron Hill in qualifying.
The first qualifying round got under way in Sheffield on Monday and Davies beat Hill, the world number 88, 6-4.
At 15 years and 277 days, he is two days younger than Ben Mertens when the Belgian beat James Cahill in 2020.
Northern Ireland's Robbie McGuigan, whose stepfather is world number 15 Mark Allen, also won on Monday.
A break of 127 saw Davies make it 1-1 against Hill and although he fell 4-2 down, the teenager fought back to win and set up a meeting with Fergal O'Brien.
McGuigan, 17, came from 3-1 and 4-3 down to claim a 6-4 win over experienced professional Alfie Burden.
"I practise a lot with Mark Allen, he's my stepdad, and I always wanted to be just like him," he said.
"My motivation is to do what he is doing. I want to work hard and win big titles."
But six-time finalist Jimmy White, who last qualified for the championship in 2006, lost 6-2 to Andrew Pagett.
How qualifying works
One hundred and 28 players started the qualifying event at the English Institute of Sport on 4 April.
They are hoping to secure one of the 16 places on offer at the World Championship.
There are four qualifying rounds and players begin their campaigns at different points defending on their world ranking.
The first three rounds are the best of 11 frames and the final round played over two days on 13 and 14 April is best of 19.
The World Championship starts on Saturday, 16 April and there will be comprehensive live coverage on BBC TV and digital services.
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