Defending champion Anthony McGill of Scotland made short work of Englishman Ashley Hugill with a 39-48, 98 (98)-0, 68-39, 59-27, 71-68 (64) win in the first round of the fourth Indian Open world ranking snooker tournament at Novotel Hotel here on Wednesday.
Though the start was not impressive, McGill rediscovered his form in the second frame and never really looked back. His famed potting skills came to the fore, especially during the unfinished break of 98 which saw him wrap up the second frame with ease.
In the fifth, Ashley showed signs of a comeback with a break of 64 but had the misfortune of seeing his yellow hit the green into the hole when he was going for safety play with a lead of 68-44 at that stage. And, a visibly pleased McGill responded in style to wrap up that frame and ensure that the contest didn’t drag for too long.
Earlier, former world amateur champion Mark Allen of Ireland outclassed China’s Niu Zhuang 88-5, 88-7 (83), 89-0 (89), 79-18 (79) in a first round game which gave enough hints as to why Allen is known as the ‘Pistol’ in the circuit for his very fast game.
For most of the match, Zhuang was sitting and just watching his opponent come up with quality potting. Clearly, the 31-year-old Allen looked to be a man in a hurry.
In the last match, four-time World champion John Higgins overcame a spirited challenge from his young Chinese opponent Zhao.
The results: 1st round: Anthony McGill (Sco) bt Ashley Hugill (UK) 39-48, 98 (98)-0, 68-39, 59-27, 71-68 (64); Stuart Bingham (UK) bt Duane Jones (Wal) 23-61, 77-0, 120 (101)-0, 71(71)-5, 61-38; Gary Wilson (UK) bt Luca Brecel (Bel) 1-76 (72), 75 (62)-8, 60-20, 73 (64)-28, 103 (103)-4; Dominic Dale (Wal) bt Rod Lawler (UK) 70 (70)-47, 8-73, 69(52)-19, 70-44, 62(61)-0.
Alexander Ursenbacher (Sui) bt Andrew Higginson (UK) 92-13, 78-59, 6-79(50), 86-19, 64-36; Sam Baird (UK) bt Mark Davis (UK) 19-77, 50-26, 100(76)-6, 54-44, 27-80(79), 72-52; Kurt Maflin (Den) bt Zhou Yuelong (Chn) 70(70)-15, 76-17, 0-141(141), 76(76)-0, 28-94(51), 74(57)-28; Akani Songsermsawad (Thai) bt Stephen McGuire (Sco) 58-56, 0-112 (112), 17-71, 62-50, 102(50)-0, 42-52, 65-0; Yu De Lu (Chn) bt Robert Milkins (UK) 26-67, 56-50, 0-69, 60(55)-6, 78-73(64), 0-86(73), 67-18; Michael Holt (UK) bt Ian Preece (Wal) 0-93(83), 73(60)-58(51), 1-85(84), 91(69)-1, 75(75)-27, 60-0; Mark Allen (UK) bt Niu Zhuang (Chn) 88-5, 88(83)-7, 89(89)-0, 79(79)-18; John Higgins (Sco) bt Zhao Xintong (Chn) 6-85 (73), 18-82 (78), 77 (77)-8, 89 (88)-0, 67-62 (60), 38-66 (60), 94 (87)-16.