Neil Robertson, Judd Trump and Shaun Murphy remained in the bottom half of the International Championship after contrasting victories in Chendgu on Monday.
Trump, in a lacklustre display, was pushed all the way by Haining Open semi-finalist Jimmy Robertson but eventually prevailed in a final frame decider 6-5.
The encounter lacked in much quality throughout with both players guilty of several unforced errors, but 2012 champion Trump’s experience was the telling factor overall.
Australia’s Neil Robertson, who Trump overcame in the final two years ago, had appeared to be heading in a similar direction when his encounter with Matthew Selt was tied at 3-3.
However, the world no.2 stepped it up a notch to ensure that he didn’t become another unexpected early casualty.
Bulgarian Open champion Murphy had no such problems, though, as he convincingly ousted China’s Yu Delu 6-1 to continue his good run of form.
Two of the most inconsistent talents at the top of the game who did bow out were Stephen Maguire and Matthew Stevens.
Maguire, who rarely lives up to his nickname of ‘On Fire’ these days, was defeated 6-5 by Noppon Saengkham while Welshman Stevens had little fight in a crushing 6-1 loss to Jamie Burnett.
Elsewhere, it was a mixed day for the Irish involved.
Fergal O’Brien enjoyed a 6-5 victory over Thepchaiya Un-Nooh to set up a potentially snail’s clash with Rod Lawler in the last 32 – Lawler knocking out teenager Oliver Lines.
But David Morris was unable to join him in the second round as, despite boasting a 2-0 lead early on, suffered a 6-3 exit at the hands of Ricky Walden.
Northern Ireland’s Joe Swail had a good win, though, recording a 6-2 success over Andrew Higginson and he’ll play Robertson for a place in the last 16.
Of the other scores, Peter Ebdon’s 6-1 triumph over Andrew Pagett stood out and with the increase in standard of late from the former world champion, could he be seen as a potential dark horse?
