Welsh Open Day 3

Shaun Murphy defeated David Morris 4-0 to progress.
Image: Monique Limbos

Shaun Murphy’s backed-up his superb form of late by booking his place in the main stages of this year’s Welsh Open thanks to a 4-0 win over David Morris, a player who is certainly no push over.

The Sale potter made the tournament’s highest break so far, a 142, in frame four and will  face fellow Manchester player Craig Steadman in the last 64 after he beat Mark Joyce 4-2.

Neil Robertson is also through to the second round after the world number one beat Chinese teenager Lyu Haotian 4-1. He was unable to add to his season century tally of 86, but did compile runs of 83 and 84. The Australian faces Rory McLeod next after he beat Bradford amateur Dylan Mitchell 4-1.
Graeme Dott put in a convincing performance as he whitewashed Lee Page, with a top break of 98. Next up for Dott is Jamie Jones, who strengthened the Welsh contingent in the last 64 by beating Cao Xin Long 4-0.

Daniel Wells was unable to make it through to the TV stages of his home event, as he was beaten 4-0 by Stuart Bingham, who now faces Thepchaiya un-Nooh as he whitewashed fan’s favourite Jimmy White.

Mark Davis also managed to secure a spot in the next round but didn’t look at his best after needing a final frame decider to beat 17-year-old Swissman Alexander Ursenbacher. He plays Joel Walker in the next round as he came out on top in the all-Sheffield clash against Pankaj Advani, with that match also going to a decider.

It was also a testing day for Joe Perry whose match against Liverpool’s Allan Taylor also went the distance, the Cambridge potter prevailing 69-36 in the final frame. His opponent in the next round is Liu Chuang after he defeated compatriot Chen Zhe 4-2.

There were also 4-0 wins for both Ben Woollaston and Alfie Burden over Vinnie Calabrese and Ahmed Saif and they play each other in the last 64.

Peter Lines will face Michael Holt next week after the Leeds potter came back from 3-1 down to beat Ross Muir 4-3, with Holt beating Stuart Carrington 4-2.

The top names in Welsh snooker are all in action at the Newport Centre on Saturday with two-times World Champion Mark Williams facing Michael Wasley in the afternoon session.

Meanwhile Michael White takes on Chris Wakelin, Jak Jones plays Liang Wenbo and then from 7pm, Ryan Day faces Rhys Clark. Judd Trump is also in action in the evening session against Kyren Wilson.

All these matches are streamed live at liveworldsnooker.tv.