‘I’m two games away from winning £175k at World Open...

ZAK SURETY is having to delay his flight ticket home to see his dogs and mum as his World Open fairytale run continues. The Essex underdog, 33, beat Shoot Out champion Tom Ford 5-3 to reach the semi-finals of a snooker ranking tournament for the first time.

Image Credit: The Sun [Snooker player preparing to shoot.]

A professional since 2014, the world No.89 has banked at least £33,000 in prize money – a personal record for one week’s work – but he is having to keep changing his travel plans. Unseeded Surety, who opened up with a 133 break and also notched in a 103, said: “Quarter-finals are easy! My last-16 win didn’t sink in the night before.

Image Credit: The Sun [A snooker player lining up a shot.]

“We were walking around the town centre, where the big screens are showing the snooker. And I’m getting recognised. “My mate Jason, who is with me, is buzzing, he’s jumping around, dancing with all the locals. “I think I’ve doubled or tripled my prize money and also tripled my century tally – tripled my longest away from home trip. Let’s see what happens in the semi-finals.

Image Credit: The Sun [Man sitting on a couch with his French bulldog.]

“I have to enjoy this while I am here. Had to delay my flight ticket home.”. Surety would become one of the most surprise winners of a ranking title for years if he goes all the way in Yushan. His next opponent over the best of 11 frames is John Higgins, who has won four world snooker championships and 31 ranking tournaments in total.

Image Credit: The Sun [A man wearing West Ham and Tottenham scarves at a soccer stadium.]

JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS. The Basildon potter joked: “I’ve never heard of him – he’s quite good, isn’t he?. “It’s exciting. I had a close game with him earlier in the season in China but that was out the back on table four or five. “It’s different now. One table. Against one of the best ever. I still pinch myself being around people like John.

“I felt a bit flat when I woke up on Thursday. It’s weird. I’m in unknown territory. It sounds really negative. I’m enjoying the run – but then I’m also waiting to go home. “I want a cup of tea. I want to go running in the woods. Play with my dogs. See my mum. But I don’t know if that is relaxing me. I’m desperate to win. I want to be a top snooker player.

“I’m not used to the conditions of a TV match either. This is the biggest match I have ever played in. “When I am in the balls, I feel alright, I feel like I am playing on my PlayStation. The tables here are more generous than they are at home.”.

No.15 seed Higgins got over his tummy troubles which almost interrupted his Last-16 win on Wednesday as he won the quarter-finals on Thursday with ease. The Scotsman, 49, scored breaks of 125, 87, 96 and 81 as he smashed under-the-weather Pang Junxu of China 5-0.

Higgins said: “I feel better. Pang had a really bad fever. You could tell he wasn’t feeling well in the practice room. “My hunger for titles has never been questioned. Sometimes there’s mental fragility or pressure. “Zak has really improved so much this week. He’s really relaxed. He had a great win over Tom. He’s such a dangerous player. I have to play my best on Friday.”.