Latvian snooker star Artemijs Zizins is making eye-catching progress in his first few months on tour.
Eighteen-year-old Zizins has taken to competitive snooker like a duck to water. His impressive performances have got the snooker world talking.
The youngster became a professional snooker player after qualifying through the usually rigorous and demanding Q School at the first time of asking to earn a two-year tour card.
Artemijs Zizins is the first and only Latvian born player to make it professional on the World Snooker Tour.
For many players, turning from amateur to professional status in the game can take adjusting to, but Zizins has made a great start – earning thousands in prize money in just his first few events of his professional career.
The teen won his first professional ranking event match beating Robbie Williams 5-3 in the Xi’an Grand Prix. He then made it to the third round of the big-money Saudi Arabia Masters making a wonderful 137 break in his second round match against China’s Xu Si.
Latvia’s Artemijs Zizins defeats Robbie Williams 4-2 in the second round 👏
He’s 18 years old 😮#EnglishOpen #HomeNations pic.twitter.com/3xaXPYNlCU
— WST (@WeAreWST) September 14, 2024
And his progress in the English Open also caught the eye.
The Latvian beat Duane Jones and Williams once again to reach the main stages of the competition. But his performances on the baize have got impressed watchers talking.
Impressive 138 break
Against Williams, Zizins made a sublime break of 138 before produced a stunning clearance of 81 when under pressure.
In the second frame he won, the reds were scattered all over the table and Zizins’ showed impressive cueball control to make the frame his. Even the frames he lost saw signs of his glowing talent – an impressive long plant on the reds was made. On the next shot he could of laid an easy snooker but chose to attack instead and potted a risky green to keep the break going.
Bringing ranking events back to a tiered format has allowed Zizins and others a better opportunity to progress. On a flat draw he could have been drawn against an elite star and had less time on the table.
We all know how another red-haired snooker player made it successful in the game in the 1980s. Zizins has the game to win trophies.
