Welsh Open Day 4

Mark Williams defeated Michael Wasley 4-2. Image:
Monique Limbos

Qualifying for next week’s Welsh Open was completed on Saturday, with a further 16 players securing spots at the TV stages of the tournament.

It was a successful day for the seeds, with all 16 of the higher ranked players winning their matches, including home favourite Mark Williams, who defeated Michael Wasley in a close match which went the distance. He’ll now play Tian Pengfei who defeated Malta’s Alex Borg 4-1, with a top run of 80.

Pontycrimmer potter Ryan Day also made it through to the last 64 as he beat Scottish amateur Rhys Clarke 4-2. Day will play another young Scot in the second round, Anthony McGill, after he saw off Jamie O’Neill 4-2 from 2-0 down, with a top run of 116.

Michael White also secured a spot in the latter stages of his home event, but also had to battle back from 2-0 down to defeat Chris Wakelin 4-3. He faces Xiao Guodong in the last 64, with the Chinaman also needing a decider to see off Hammad Miah.

One Welshman who was unable to progress today was Jak Jones, who was downed 4-2 by Liang Wenbo. Liang will meet Fergal O’Brien in the next round after the Irishman beat Leeds amateur Sanderson Lam 4-1.

Judd Trump made two centuries, a 100 and a 132, as he beat Kettering’s Kyren Wilson 4-2 and he’ll meet Scotland’s Jamie Burnett in the next round as he beat Ratchayothin Yotharuck 4-2, with a top break of 126.

Barry Hawkins whitewashed Scotland’s Fraser Patrick with a top break of 83 and will play Cao Yupeng next week who knocked in runs of 114 and 108 on course to beating David Grace 4-2.

Marco Fu also secured a spot in the last 64 with a 4-2 victory over Chris Norbury and will face Kurt Maflin in the next round after the Norwegian beat Alex Davies 4-1.

Mark King fought back from 3-2 down to beat Sean O’Sullivan in the afternoon session and he plays Alan McManus in the next round after the Scot beat John Astley 4-2.

The second round of the Welsh Open continues on Monday morning from 10:30, with live TV coverage provided all day by Eurosport and afternoon and evening sessions on BBC Two Wales.

See the last 64 draw from the Welsh Open here.