World Open Day 2

Shaun Murphy progressed through his First Round match
with a 5-4 win over Martin Gould

There was another surprise result in Tuesday’s wildcard round as Chinese amateur Zhao Xintong recorded a comfortable 5-1 win over Andrew Higginson. The Widnes man was amongst a plethora of players to be without his cue which had not arrived at the airport in time for his match. Zhao won the first two and although a 66 break from Higginson pulled it back to 2-1, the Chinese player won the next three, including a top break of 86, to secure a meeting with Stuart Bingham tomorrow.

Ian Burns had no issues winning his wildcard match, defeating Pakistani player Saleh Mohammadi 5-1. The Preston potter won all four before the interval including breaks of 58 and 50. Mohammadi pulled one back before the break but Burns progressed to the First Round by winning the six where he will meet Barry Hawkins.

In the First Round, Shaun Murphy overcame Martin Gould in an exciting match which went all the way. The first four frames were shared, with Gould recording a 94 in the opener whilst Murphy also compiled an 88. The frames continued to be shared, with Gould pulling one clear before Murphy equalised, including an excellent 118 in frame eight to force a decider. Gould had the first chance in the opener but ran aground on 48, allowing Murphy to clear to the pink to win.

Mark Allen began his defence of the title after coming from 2-0 behind to beat Ryan Day 5-2. Breaks of 63 and 81 gave the Welshman an early lead but Allen hit back with five frames on the bounce including top runs of 69, 52, 84 and 78.

In the evening session, Judd Trump got revenge on Mark Joyce after the latter had defeated him 6-5 at the UK Championship back in December. The current world number one was at complete ease during the match and cruised to a 5-0 victory. A 66 break put gave trump the first frame and he also secured a tight second before winning the next three to progress.

Matthew Stevens came from 3-0 behind to defeat Dave Gilbert after a final frame decider. Breaks of 65, 54 and 67 gave the Tamworth man a surprising lead but Stevens managed to win the next two to close the gap. Gilbert went within a frame of victory after compiling a 70 break in frame six but Stevens won the next three closely-contested frames and he’ll face Murphy in the last 16.

Neil Robertson was a comfortable 5-2 winner over Dominic Dale in another evening match. Robertson won all four frames before the interval although there was a stoppage in frame three after Dale had to leave the arena after damaging his cue tip. The Welshman did pull the frames back with breaks of 54 and 69 but Robbo secure the victory by winning frame seven.

Despite taking an early lead, Jamie Cope lost out 5-2 to Graeme Dott, who will face Robertson in the next round. Cope led 2-0 at one point but Dott sprang into action to roll off the next five frames, including breaks of 98, 139, 68 and 83.