China Open Day 3

Neil Robertson is through after a tense 5-4 win over Mark
Williams. Image: World Snooker

Neil Robertson came through a thrilling final match against three times China Open winner Mark Williams to secure his spot in the last 16 of this year’s tournament. A break of 86 in the sixth put Robertson 4-2 up and he looked set to clinch the match after being left a straight forward pink to middle in the next. He missed it and Williams ended up fluking it before knocking in the black to make it 4-3. The Welshman then forced a decider by taking the next on the colours but Robertson kept his composure and clinch the match with an excellent 86 break in the decider. He plays Yu Delu next after the Chinese defeated James Wattana 5-1.

Peter Ebdon recorded an impressive deciding frame win over Judd Trump to book a spot in the last 16. Ebdon, who won the tournament in 2009 and 2012 had to win the eighth to force a decider and he took the victory with an 86 break in the ninth. He faces Ali Carter next as he beat Matt Selt 5-2.

Ding Junhui set up an enticing last 16 match with John Higgins thanks to a 5-3 win over Thailand’s Thepchaiya Un-Nooh. Higgins meanwhile beat Michael White 5-1.

Shaun Murphy is also through to the next round after he whitewashed Dechawat Poomjaeng with a top run of 90. He plays Ricky Walden next after he beat China’s Xiao Guodong 5-3.

Jimmy White further strengthened his chance of remaining on the tour after beating London’s Alfie Burden 5-3, with top breaks of 91 and 110. He plays world number two Mark Selby next after he beat Nigel Bond 5-1.

Mike Dunn is another player seeking tour survival and he moved up to 65 on the money list thanks to a 5-3 win over fellow top 64 rival Tian Pengfei 5-3. He plays Craig Steadman after he overcame Martin O’Donnell in a late-night finish which went the distance.

Luca Brecel moves back into the top 64 after a 5-1 win over Dominic Dale and he’ll play Graeme Dott on Thursday after he beat Dave Harold 5-4. Mark King secured an impressive 5-3 win over Marco Fu and he faces Jamie O’Neill after he beat Fergal O’Brien 5-2.

The last 16 takes place on Thursday and you can view the schedule HERE.

You can also see the updated Prize Money list HERE.