The 2022 Welsh Open continued on Tuesday with the likes of Ronnie O’Sullivan and Judd Trump in action in Newport.
In the only remaining held-over encounter from the preliminary round, O’Sullivan easily overcame amateur top-up James Cahill with a 4-0 scoreline.
Just a couple of days after his 10-9 defeat to Fan Zhengyi in the European Masters final, the Rocket compiled breaks of 90, 83, and 53 to set up a meeting with Lukas Kleckers.
A busy day of action elsewhere saw the other contenders competing in the round of 64, with Trump contributing a brace of century breaks in a 4-1 defeat of Craig Steadman.
It has been a quiet spell for the world number three, who will be looking to rediscover his top form ahead of an important period of the campaign.
Neil Robertson and John Higgins also managed to reach the last 32 after comprehensive victories over Hammad Miah and Soheil Vahedi respectively.
Like Trump, Robertson and Higgins – who boast seven Welsh Open titles between them – compiled two tons each in dominant displays.
Ding Junhui went one better, firing in a hat-trick of hundred-plus breaks in his 4-1 beating of Michael Holt, while Ali Carter was another former champion to make it through after overcoming Ng On Yee.
Meanwhile, Northern Ireland Open champion Allen advanced after a 4-0 whitewash win against Iulian Boiko, Jack Lisowski came from behind to deny Chris Wakelin, and Hossein Vafaei pipped Robbie Williams in a decider.
But home favourite and two-time former Welsh Open champion Mark Williams crashed out of the 2022 edition following a 4-3 reverse to Kurt Maflin.
The in-form Liang Wenbo was beaten by Ben Woollaston by the same narrow margin, while Fergal O’Brien heaped more misery on the struggling Thepchaiya Un-Nooh by denying the Thai on the final black.
Joe Perry, Jimmy Robertson, and Yuan Sijun were also taken the distance before ultimately progressing to the next round of the competition.
Among the other players to remain in the hunt for glory in the last Home Nations tournament of this term were Matthew Selt, Scott Donaldson, and Mitchell Mann.
On Wednesday, the action continues with the remaining clashes in the second round, before the last 32 commences later in the day.
Last 32 Draw Mitchell Mann vs Lu Ning/Matthew Stevens Zhang Anda vs Yuan Sijun Hossein Vafaei vs Jak Jones/Zhao Xintong Zak Surety/Ryan Day vs Anthony Hamilton/Shaun Murphy Neil Robertson vs Graeme Dott/Jamie Clarke Barry Hawkins/Ashley Carty vs Ben Woollaston Jimmy Robertson vs Fergal O'Brien Si Jiahui vs Judd Trump Ronnie O'Sullivan/Lukas Kleckers vs Ding Junhui Yan Bingtao/Zhao Jianbo vs Ricky Walden/Noppon Saengkham Joe Perry vs Mark Allen Matthew Selt vs Li Hang/Kyren Wilson John Higgins vs Ali Carter Kurt Maflin vs Scott Donaldson Jack Lisowski vs Elliot Slessor/Stuart Bingham Michael White vs Liam Highfield/Mark Selby
Live coverage is available on Eurosport, Quest, BBC Wales, or via other channels depending on your location.
Featured photo credit: WST