QUARTER-FINALS
Zhang Anda (CHN) 1-4 David Grace (ENG)
11-65 (Grace 40), 64-71 (Zhang 60, Grace 71), 101-35 (Zhang 44, 35), 0-129 (Grace 128), 1-73 (Grace 57)
Adam Wicheard (ENG) 4-1 Fraser Patrick (SCO)
99-8 (Wicheard 35, 52), 85-1 (Wicheard 54), 80-3 (Wicheard 79), 8-62 (Patrick 34), 74-15 (Wicheard 42)
Andrew Norman (ENG) 4-3 Chen Zhe (CHN)
53-77 (Norman 32, Chen 52), 73-0 (Norman 73), 14-64 (Chen 35), 67-37 (Norman 39), 124-0 (Norman 68, 56), 1-55 (Chen 42), 66-0 (Norman 39)
Robin Hull (FIN) 4-3 David Gilbert (ENG)
69-4 (Hull 49, 20), 49-61 (Hull 44, Gilbert 34), 2-77 (Gilbert 71), 24-83 (Gilbert 83), 70-32 (Hull 48), 73-12 (Hull 56), 76-8 (Hull 69)
Hull joins Adam Wicheard, Andrew Norman and David Grace as the first winners in the new qualifying system for the pro circuit.
Hull twice appeared in the quarter-finals of ranking events and climbed as high as No 31 in the world, but his career was affected by a life-threatening virus and, after slipping down the rankings, he retired in early 2008.
However, the 36-year-old decided to give the game another go and entered Q School, which gives players from all around the world the chance to qualify for the pro circuit.
And he has won five matches in Sheffield, culminating in a 4-3 victory over David Gilbert, from 3-1 down, to secure his place on the 2011/12 circuit. Gilbert made breaks of 71 and 83 to lead 3-1, but Hull fought back to level then won the last frame with a run of 69.
"I didn't feel too sharp at 3-1 down, but I produced a couple of good frames to get back to 3-3," said Hull. "In the decider, David had a chance but he was unlucky not to land on anything when he went into the pack, and I made a good break to win it.
"Coming into this event I had no idea whether I could get through. I still follow the results from the tour and I recognised most of the names in the field. I've been playing in amateur tournaments in Finland but it's not the same pressure as playing professionally.
"I've always enjoyed playing snooker and I kept in touch with players on the tour. They said they are enjoying the game more than ever now because there are so many more tournaments. I'm excited about playing on the main tour again and looking forward to it. The Q School was ideal for me because you only have to commit to coming to the UK for a month."
Hull, who still suffers from an irregular heart rate but believes that his health will not be put in danger by his snooker career, added: "I don't know whether I can get back up the rankings to where I was before. I've grown up a lot as a person in the last few years and I have a 13-month-old son now, so that will help me deal with the pressure of playing."
Grace, a 26-year-old from Leeds, booked his place with a 4-1 defeat of China's Zhang Anda, knocking in breaks of 71, 128 and 57. The Yorkshireman had one season on the main tour in 2008/09 after winning the European Championship.
"I only won a couple of matches in that season although I did have some narrow defeats - I played Jimmy White twice and lost 5-4 and 9-8," said Grace, who is based at the Northern Snooker Centre. "I'd like to think that I'm a better player now and I know what the standard is like.
"It's unbelievable to be back on, especially as there are so many events now. My only target will be to stay on the tour and to enjoy it.
"I won my first match in Q School 4-3 on the pink and got better every match after that."
Wicheard, from Trowbridge in Wiltshire, beat Fraser Patrick 4-1 with a top run of 79. He played his debut season on the main tour last season and was relegated, but has bounced straight back.
"Last season was poor, I was disappointed with the way I played," said the 25-year-old. "This time I will work harder with my coach, Frank Adamson, and try to improve. At least last season gave me a lot of match experience."
Wicheard is based at the South West Snooker Academy in Gloucester and added: "It's a really good set up and there are always different players there to practise with."
The last player to make it through event one was Bristol's Norman, who scraped a 4-3 win over China's Chen Zhe. Norman, who has had several seasons on the pro tour, made breaks of 73, 68 and 56 then won the decider 66-0.
"Today was the best I have played all week," said Norman. "In most of the matches I was only playing 40 per cent, but today it was more like 80 per cent. My experience got me through.
"It's such a good feeling to be back on the tour. It's not until you have time away from it that you realise how much you love the game and how much you miss playing in the big tournaments.
"A few seasons ago I was up to No 42 in the world and everything was turning to gold. But I didn't know how to deal with it and I got murdered, I had a terrible losing streak. It's just great now to have a clean slate. I know I will never be Ronnie O'Sullivan, but I am a good, gritty match player and I can get back up there."
Event two starts tomorrow.
