Mark Williams began his 2022/23 campaign in strong fashion with three wins to top Group 5 of the Championship League on Monday.
The Welshman started the day at the Morningside Arena with a 3-1 victory against Rory McLeod, who was participating as a top-up amateur.
Williams followed that up with a comprehensive 3-0 triumph over countryman Andrew Pagett, and then he rounded off a perfect day with a 3-1 defeat of Li Hang.
The latter could have placed in first place with a victory of his own from the last fixture, and it looked promising when he took the opening frame.
But Williams responded by reeling off the next three, including the final frame when he made a terrific 140 total clearance.
Elsewhere, Gary Wilson progressed from Group 28 thanks to a haul of seven points from his three round-robin ties.
The Englishman compiled a 96 break en route to a 3-0 whitewash of Harvey Chandler, with his second match ending in a draw with Barry Pinches.
A winner-takes-all encounter ensued between Wilson and Jak Jones, with the former easily coming out on top as a 3-0 winner – high scoring with a run of 115.
- Click here: British Open: 2022 draw, preview, where to watch
Both Mark Williams and Gary Wilson will rejoin the competition later this month when Stage Two commences in Leicester.
On Tuesday, Stage One continues with Stephen Maguire entering the fray in Group 21 alongside Matthew Stevens, Mitchell Mann, and Si Jiahui.
In Group 22, three former ranking event winners in Marco Fu, Thepchaiya Un-Nooh, and Jimmy Robertson are joined by amateur top-up Ian Martin.
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
