China Open Last 64 Wrap

Shaun Murphy is through to the Last 32. Image: World Snooker

Defending China Open champion Neil Robertson scraped through to the last 32 of the tournament with a deciding frame win over Anthony Hamilton. In fairness to the Australian, it looked as though he was really struggling with a virus as he had done in Preston last week, and genuinely looked relieved when a 57 break finally ensured he progressed past Hamilton. He faces Mark Williams in the last 32 after he recorded a 5-3 win over Anthony McGill.

An in-form Shaun Murphy also progressed as he eased to a 5-1 win over Jamie Copeand will play Dechawat Poomjaeng next after he beat Leeds’ David Grace 5-3.

Home hero Ding Junhui’s hopes of securing a fifth ranking title this season remain in tact for this tournament after he beat John Astley 5-1 and he’ll face Thepchaiya Un-Nooh next after the Thai thrashed the experienced Ken Doherty 5-0.

Ricky Walden defeated Pankaj Advani 5-1 and will play Xaio Guodong next after he beat Hammad Miah 5-2, with atop break of 142. Ali Carter whitewashed Jamie Jones and will face Matt Selt in the last 32 after he recorded an impressive 5-2 win over Ryan Day.

John Higgins knocked in a top break of 115 as he beat Michael Wasley 5-2 and he faces young Welshman Michael White on Wednesday after he beat wildcard round winner Zhao Xintong 5-2.

Marco Fu progresses after a 5-3 victory over Li Hang and his last 32 opponent will be Mark King after he overcame Aditya Mehta in a tense match which went the distance.

Mark Selby is also through after he recorded a 5-3 victory over Grimsby’s Stuart Carrington and will play Nigel Bond after he beat fellow tour veteran Barry Pinches 5-3 in a match which had a combined age of 91. Pinches’ highlight was a 133 break in the sixth frame.

There were a number of important results in terms of the race for tour survival with Jimmy White pulling his way clear of the cut-off thanks to a 5-2 win over David Morris.

Tian Pengfei climbed into the top 64 with a 5-2 win over Gary Wilson, making a top break of 129. He plays Mike Dunn, who also closed in on the top 64, after he came back from 4-1 down to beat Peter Lines 5-4 in what could prove to be a pivotal result at the end of the season.

Craig Steadman needs a good run in this event to help his quest in securing a tour place beyond this season and a 5-1 win over Michael Holt will certainly have helped his course.

There were a number of high profile withdrawals from the China Open, with Mark Allen and Barry Hawkins to miss this one out after reaching the final day of the Players Championship in Preston on Saturday. It would’ve meant a last minute flight around the other side of the world and an unwelcome distraction ahead of the World Championship.

Stephan Maguire is also absent due to his ongoing back problem, Stuart Bingham is attending a family funeral whilst Tony Drago also opted not to travel, although he’s been known not to enjoy long-distance flights.