SHOKAT ALI, the Accrington professional, booked his place in the third round of the Liverpool Victoria UK championship, at the Bournemouth International Centre yesterday.

Ali, who faces Peter Ebdon for a place in the last 32, defeated Dean Reynolds 6-3 in a three and a half hours contest in which he had breaks 100, 45 and 44.

Currently ranked at No 69, but on the provisional list down to 92nd, Ali is now poised to make a rapid rise through the rankings having reached the third round of the UK, the last 16 of next month's China Open, and the last 64 of the Regal Welsh Open.

"The main target this season is to get back into the top 64. It will be a big bonus if I make the top 32, but you never know," said Ali.

"I'm cueing well and have been all season. It's just a question of stringing together a few results and hopeful this is the start of a decent run. I'm certainly looking forward to playing Peter over 17 frames on Tuesday and Wednesday.

"There is a lot of pressure on me at the moment, but I'm coping with it very well," he added.

Ali will be returning to Pakistan in March to receive a special award for his achievement in winning the gold medal at the Asian Games in Bangkok. The 29-year-old confirmed the ceremony was still "on" despite recent events which has seen the military overthrow the Government leaders.

Preston's Ian McCulloch failed to join Ali in the last 64. He was beaten 6-4 by Scottish teenager Stephen Maguire who recorded breaks of 100, 89, 65 and 62.

McCulloch, who lost the last two frames, compiled a total clearance of 138 in the third frame, the highest break so far of the non-televised stages.

Stuart Pettman, the Preston professional who defeated Noppadon Noppachorn 6-3 in the first round, is up against Neal Foulds in the second round which continues today (Monday).

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