Haikou World Open Day 2

Kurt Maflin pulled off an impressive 5-1 victory over Joe
Perry to make the last 32 in Haikou. Image: World Snooker

Kurt Maflin proved what a dangerous player he can be as he knocked out Joe Perry 5-1 to reach the last 32 in Haikou. The Norwegian knocked in top runs of 51 and 72 as he beat the world number 13 and will face Ali Carter in the next round as he beat Dave Gilbert 5-3 with top runs of 66 and 67.

Judd Trump made short work of wildcard round winner Chen Zifan, knocking in top breaks of 64 and 88 on course to a 5-0 win. He meets Matthew Stevens in the next round as he also whitewashed recent Dougguan Open semi-finalist Yu De Lu with a top run of 55.

Ding Junhui’s hopes of a fifth ranking event win this season continue this week as he beat compatriot Li Yan 5-1, with a top run of 128. He plays fellow Star Academy player Pankaj Advani in the last 32 on Wednesday.

Shaun Murphy looked very dangerous very early on as he defeated tour veteran Jimmy White 5-1, with a top run of 128. That doesn’t do White’s tour survival hopes much good, leaving him rooted in 60th place on the provisional money list. Murphy will play Mark King in the last 32 as he beat Cao Yupeng 5-2, with a top break of 83.

Marco Fu is also through to the next round as he defeated up-and-coming Scot Anthony McGill 5-3. The only consolation for McGill was hi break of 144 in the sixth which could well see him take the tournament high break prize. Next up for Fu is Michael Holt, who made a top break of 104 on his way to a 5-1 win over Nigel Bond.

Ricky Walden needed a final frame decider to overcome Alfie Burden but a composed break of 112 in the ninth frame secured victory. He’ll play Ken Doherty in the next round as the former world champion hit back from 2-0 to beat Barry Pinches 5-2.

Mark Williams also progressed into the last 32 after a 5-1 win over teenage wildcard entry Yuan Sijun, with the Welshman facing Mark Selby in the next round. Alan McManus also joins him in the second round after he beat recent Championship League finalist Martin Gould 5-1.

Rory McLeod won the final three frames to fight back from 4-2 down to beat Tom Ford 5-4 to progress into the last 32 where he’ll be joined by Robert Milkins after he beat Rod Lawler 5-2.

Dominic Dale also picked up a win today, beating Michael Leslie 5-4 and there was another defeat for another Scottish player as Scott Donaldson was beaten 5-1 by Liang Wenbo.