Players Championship Day 2

Image: Monique Limbos

Dave Gilbert ensured the upsets continued in Preston as he knocked out the world number two Mark Selby, whitewashing him 4-0. The Tamworth-based potter knocked in runs of 50 and 73 on course to victory and will play Joe Perry in the last 16 after he defeated Mark Davis 4-3.

The Cambridge potter won the first two with breaks of 70 and 86 although Davis hit back and won the next two to pull level. A 123 break put Perry back in front but Davis forced a decider however Perry hit a 75 break to secure victory.

Tournament favourite Ronnie O’Sullivan is also through to the second round following a comfortable win against up and coming Scottish prospect Scott Donaldson. The Rocket compiling top breaks of 109 and 73. He plays Yu Delu in the next round after he beat fellow Chinese Liang Wenbo 4-2, making top breaks of 63 and 53.

Another seed to bite the dust on Wednesday was Stuart Bingham who was beaten 4-3 by Ryan Day. Bingham did well to force a decider from 3-1 down but a run of 50 in the final frame proved enough for the Welshman to progress. He meets Barry Hawkins next after he whitewashed Stephen Maguire, with breaks of 94 and 95.

Mark Allen was in free scoring form as he hit breaks of 136, 94 and 107 to beat Jamie Jones 4-2 and will play Fergal O’Brien after he beat Michael Holt in a lengthy match which eventually finished in the early hours of Thursday morning.