Elsewhere, world number one Judd Trump eased past Jack Lisowski 6-1 to set up a quarter-final with Neil Robertson, who beat Gary Wilson 6-1.
“I’m a better player than I ever have been,” said Australia’s Robertson afterwards in reference to his form compared to that during a disappointing 2023-24 season.
“I probably haven’t said too much about my game over the last 18 months, but I’ve got that sense of pride again with my safety game.”
Meanwhile, Shaun Murphy defeated Elliot Slessor 6-3, Scotland’s Scott Donaldson lost a thriller with Xiao Guodong 6-5 and Jimmy Robertson edged past Kyren Wilson 6-4.
Robertson faces a last-eight showdown with Mark Williams after brushing aside Stuart Bingham 6-2.
The Saudi Arabia Masters, which has been given the unofficial title of being the sport’s ‘fourth major’ by organisers, is the biggest ever tournament staged outside the UK.
With a £2.3m prize fund and £500,000 winner’s cheque, only the World Championship in Sheffield is comparable.
