Reigning champion Mark Selby continued his unbeaten streak in the Scottish Open, with Ronnie O’Sullivan joining him in the last 32 on Tuesday in Llandudno.
Selby, who triumphed in the final against O’Sullivan a year ago and also won the tournament in 2019, lost the opening frame against Oliver Lines but won the subsequent four to safely progress and extended his winning run in the competition to 16.
Selby will face Xiao Guodong in the next round, with O’Sullivan in action against Liang Wenbo after a dominant 4-0 defeat of Michael Georgiou in which he allowed his opponent only three points in total.
Scottish duo Stephen Maguire and Anthony McGill, who are technically home players despite the fact that the tournament has been relocated to Wales this season, made it through as well thanks to respective 4-1 victories over Sunny Akani and Chris Wakelin.
Belgium’s Luca Brecel bounced back strongly following his defeat in Sunday’s UK Championship final by beating Joe Perry 4-2, but York semi-finalist Kyren Wilson was a surprise casualty – the Kettering cueist outpointed by veteran Irishman Fergal O’Brien.
Meanwhile, Championship League winner David Gilbert and British Open runner-up Gary Wilson were a couple of the other notable names to reach the third round.
There’s plenty of attention on this week’s subplot concerning qualification for the upcoming World Grand Prix in Coventry, where only the top 32 on the one-year rankings list will compete.
Ryan Day, Scott Donaldson, and Jackson Page are among those hoping for a deep run in order to make the necessary rise up the standings, with all three winning their latest Scottish Open ties.
The Scottish Open is also one of eight tournaments on the European Series sponsored by BetVictor, which will reward the highest earner across the eight events with a tidy bonus of £150,000.
The betting firm is one of the biggest online, but there are more options available here for non-UK casinos that are becoming increasingly popular.
On Wednesday, the round of 64 in the Scottish Open continues with Judd Trump and John Higgins among those rejoining the fray, before the third round commences during the evening session.
Live coverage continues on Eurosport, Quest, and Matchroom.Live (selected territories).
Click here to view the draw (times: CET)
Featured photo credit: WST
Pingback: Mark Selby and Ronnie O’Sullivan Advance • Snooker Site