Aaron Hill has managed to regain his status as a professional snooker player after defeating China’s Zhao Jianbo in Sheffield this afternoon.
With victory, Hill, who rose to fame after defeating Ronnie O'Sullivan at the European Masters back in 2020, completed the tough task of qualifying from 'Q' school. The Corkman battled through five rounds of intense action and held his nerve to defeat Jianbo and once again book his place on the professional tour.
Speaking to the media after the event, Hill ranked today's pressure filled victory even higher than his remarkable win over O'Sullivan just a month into his professional career.
“To be sitting here after getting through Q School is a much bigger achievement than beating Ronnie,” admitted a clearly relieved Hill after securing his professional status.
“There was much more pressure out there and I think it is probably the biggest achievement of my life. I was thrown in at the deep end on the tour and didn’t expect it to be as tough as it was. But I have got a second chance and I am determined to make the most of it.”
In order to qualify from Q school, Hill had to outlast over 120 fellow competitors. For most of them, it will be straight back to the day job, but for Hill, he gets one more chance to live his dream as a professional snooker player.
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