NEWPORT - An Indian snooker player has reached the quarterfinals of a major tournament for the first time since the inaugural World Snooker Championship event was staged in 1927.

Pankaj Advani, a newcomer on the main snooker tour this season, beat Graeme Dott 4-1 at the Welsh Open late Thursday to advance to the last eight.

Dott was the second former world champion beaten by Advani at the tournament in Newport, Wales. The Pune native also defeated Shaun Murphy in the first round.

Advani told the World Snooker website that "I am surprising myself with this run, but I'm just going with the flow and trying to keep winning."