Yuan Sijun won all nine of his frames as he powered to top spot in Group 9 of the Championship League on Wednesday.
After two rounds of fixtures, the 22 year-old boasted the same 2-0 win-loss record as the group’s seeded player Barry Hawkins.
Yuan’s superior frame difference meant that a draw with Hawkins would prove to be enough in the final clash.
But the former Asian under-21 champion secured his third straight whitewash triumph to coast through to the last 32.
Countryman Lyu Haotian was also in good form, with the 24 year-old beating former world champion Graeme Dott in his third encounter to seal his own berth in Stage Two.
Lyu began the day with a 2-2 draw against Fraser Patrick, but a subsequent 3-1 defeat of amateur top-up Haydon Pinhey set him up nicely.
Dott would have advanced with a victory of his own in the last tie, but Lyu dominated the contest with breaks of 135, 53, and 90.
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Both Yuan Sijun and Lyu Haotian will next feature in Stage Two of the competition later this month at the Morningside Arena.
Meanwhile, Stage One continues on Thursday with two more groups taking place in Leicester.
Former world champion Mark Selby enters the fray in Group 3, launching his new season amongst a quartet that also involves Ben Woollaston, Zhang Jiankang, and James Cahill.
In Group 23, Joe Perry is in action alongside Elliot Slessor, Lukas Kleckers, and Andrew Higginson – the latter participating as an amateur top-up after losing his tour card at the end of last term.
Live coverage is available on FreeSports and Matchroom.Live in the UK and Ireland, and by various other means around the world.
Click here to view the draw (times: CET)
Featured photo credit: WST
