A superb break of 92 in the match-deciding frame saw Aaron Hill edge out Barry Hawkins 4-3 and seal his place in the last 16 of the Northern Ireland Open.<\/p>\n
The 23-year-old held his nerve in the seventh and final frame and could face local favourite Mark Allen for a quarter-final spot. <\/p>\n
Allen faces Ben Woollaston on Wednesday evening.<\/p>\n
Hill can watch on with interest after continuing his fine form of 2025. <\/p>\n
It was Hawkins that drew first blood at the Waterfront Hall in Belfast, with the 2013 World finalist opening with a break of 79.<\/p>\n
The Corkman, who eased past Lei Peifan 4-1 in the previous round<\/a>, soon found his groove.<\/p>\n Breaks of 66, 77 and 58 left him just one frame short of victory, but Hawkins refused to throw in the towel, edging the fifth frame before a break of 90 saw the 46-year-old take it to a decider, with the momentum very much on his side.<\/p>\n However, Hill pulled out his highest break of the match at the opportune moment to take victory.<\/p>\n Just look at what it means to Aaron Hill! \ud83d\ude01<\/p>\n The Breeze showed nerves of steel down the stretch to secure a HUGE win \ud83d\ude4c#NIOpen<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/QOlFMNghBv<\/a><\/p>\n\n