25 January 2023 , 20:31
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A Moldovan snooker starlet made history by becoming the youngest player ever to win a televised match at the age of 14.
Vladislav Gradinari, who recently won the English under-14 championship, completed a comprehensive 40-1 win over three-time women's world champion Ng On-yee in the Snooker Shoot Out first round.
The short-form tournament sees results decided in one frame or 10 minutes. Players have 15 seconds to take a shot during the first half of the match, and then only 10 seconds for the second half. The player with the highest score at the 10-minute mark - or whoever wins the match before then - progresses.
After recording his first televised match victory Gradinari said: "It feels amazing. I played my best game, I had some shots which I should have potted and I did. I'm happy with that. At the table I felt a bit calm."
Gradinari started playing snooker at the age of seven after being introduced to the sport by watching it on the television with his family members.
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Vladislav Gradinari has been playing snooker in Moldova since the age of seven (@WeAreWST / Twitter)"I tried to play and I really liked it," he added. "Snooker is not really popular in Moldova, we have three or four tables in the whole country. We are trying to improve the level of snooker in Moldova."
The snooker starlet, who trains against professionals at his home club in Leeds, dreams of reaching the top level and becoming a full-time player on the World Snooker Tour.
Gradinari opened the scoring before experienced opponent On Yee was given an early chance to take control, but only came away with one point. The Moldovan youngster capitalised going 18-1 ahead with three minutes remaining and then completing his comfortable win.
Vladislav Gradinari progressed into the Snooker Shoot Out second round with a 40-1 win against Ng On-yee (@WeAreWST / Twitter)Gradinari impressed three-time world champion Mark Williams - who also progressed into the second round after beating Craig Steadman.
"I watched him (Gradinari) in the practice room - he hits the ball lovely," Williams told Eurosport. "It (the event) just gives them (the younger players) the opportunity and experience they need to play under the cameras and the lights."
The random draw could see Gradinari face Williams in the second round. The short-form competition at the Morningside Arena in Leicester finishes on Saturday.