Indian Open Day 1

Aditya Mehta is through to the last 32 after beating Peter
Ebdon. Image: World Snooker

Aditya Mehta confirmed his progress into the last 32 of his inaugural home event with a composed final frame decider win over 2006 World Champion Peter Ebdon. Mehta had the best of the early running in Delhi, and led 3-1 thanks to runs of 50 and 122 in the first and fourth frames respectively. Ebdon battled back to 3-3 in typically gritty fashion but Mehta sent the Indian fans home happy with a fantastically constructed clearance of 127 to make it through.

World number one Neil Robertson looked in a particularly dangerous mood as he knocked in three centuries, all 103s, on course to beating Thailand’s Noppon Saengkham 4-1. Dechawat Poomjaeng’s post Crucible success continued as he defeated the world number 24 Ryan Day 4-2.

Also through the first round is Mark Joyce, who hit a top run of 114 on his way to whitewashing Sean O’Sullivan whilst Ricky Walden also recorded a 4-0 win, over Gerard Greene.

New tour Hammad Miah came from 3-2 down to defeat Chen Zhe 4-3 whilst Mark Davis came through another newcomer, Elliot Slessor, but the Gateshead teenager made Davis work hard for his 4-2 win.

Over-running matches meant Ding Junhui and Barry Pinches didn’t get onto play until later than scheduled and unfortunately for them, the match went the distance. It was a good performance from the veteran Pinches who led 3-2 at one stage but Ding ran off breaks of 51 and 88 to seal the match at 1:40am.

Elsewhere, there were victories for Liang Wenbo who defeated Ireland’s David Morris 4-2 Zhang Anda, who beat Alan McManus 4-1 and Michael Holt who came past Jamie Cope, also 4-1.

Most of the tour players that had been drawn in the wildcard round stage made it through with ease, with Rod Lawler, Jeff Cundy, Robbie Williams and Paul Davison all booking their place in the main draw. Scotland’s Anthony McGill however had to work extremely hard to beat Shivam Arora in his wildcard round game, eventually prevailing 4-3.

Dharminder Lilly was given a bye into the first round where he’ll face Mark Selby, after his opponent Liam Highfield decided not to make the trip to India, citing it on the cyclone, despite it only affecting areas over 200 miles away from New Delhi.

Highfield is one of just a number of withdrawals from the competition. Ali Carter and Kyren Wilson both withdrew due to health issues and Dave Gilbert is missing the tournament to attend a funeral of a close friend. Other absentees include Anthony Hamilton, Yu Delu and Tony Drago who are all away for unspecified reasons.