Luke Littler admitted he struggled against an up-for-it Ryan Meikle before coming out on top in his second-round match on Saturday night.
The teen was overcome with emotion afterwards and explained that he had to battle to win his opening tie at Ally Pally.
“That was probably the toughest game I’ve ever played, but you’ve got to get over the line,” Littler said in his press conference. “I don’t know where I pulled that last set from, but I just had to fight until the end.
“When I got on that stage I felt really nervous, but I managed to find my game from somewhere. I know I am the favourite, but you have to focus on winning your first game, and that’s what I did tonight.
“Like I said, it’s the worst game I’ve played. I’ve never felt anything like that tonight.”