ROBBIE McGuigan will face China’s world number 72 Ma Hailong in round two of the inaugural Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters on Saturday after a 4-3 win over Abdulraouf Saigh from the host nation in round one on Friday.
The 20-year-old Antrim rookie was never ahead in his best-of-seven encounter until winning the deciding frame on the colours but getting over the line sees him bank some useful ranking points and £4,000 in prize money as he bids to establish himself on the tour.
Ken Doherty faces Welsh teenager Liam Davies on Friday evening, while Aaron Hill is in action on Saturday and Jordan Brown on Sunday.
Mark Allen enters the fray as a top-16 player at the round five stage on Tuesday.
Dubbed ‘the fourth major’, the event in Riyadh has a prize fund of over £2million, making it the second most lucrative event on the calendar after the World Championship.
