Ultimate Pool in 2023 got underway on Wednesday evening as Chris Melling won Week 24 of the Masters and progressed to the last 32 stage of the competition in the spring.

The two-time world champion and three-time Ultimate Pool title winner continued his brilliant form in the opening match of the night as he registered three break clearances and two reverse clearances in a clinical 8-1 win over fellow professional player, Jez Graham.

Next up was an all-amateur clash between John Dunne and Ross Smith which provided plenty of quality, entertainment and drama.

Smith pretty much dominated the opening half of the tie, playing beautifully with multiple break and reverse clearances as he established a 5-1 lead.

However, in a big turnaround, Dunne produced one of the biggest comeback victories in Masters history, claiming the final five frames (including a break clearance in frame 10) to win 6-5 and make it through to the weekly final.

Dunne started the match as a firm underdog but threatened an upset as he took the opening frame after a bad miss from Melling and then doubled his lead for 2-0.

Yorkshireman Melling soon got back in stroke, levelling up at 2-2 before crafting a break clearance and then a reverse clearance for a two-frame lead, although Dunne responded brilliantly going reverse clearance-break clearance to tie the scores up at 4-4.

The match was becoming a memorable one which was in the balance, but Melling managed to break away again, chalking up four of the next five frames – finishing off with a reverse clearance and then a break clearance – for an 8-5 success.

Melling is set to face Jordan Shepherd in a mouthwatering last 32 fixture in April.