Ronnie O’Sullivan, Judd Trump and defending champion Joe Perry progress at Welsh Open
- Planet Sport writer
- 14 February 2023
Defending champion Joe Perry eased into the last 64 of the Welsh Open with Ronnie O’Sullivan and Judd Trump also victorious on day one.
Staged at Venue Cymru in Llandudno, the first time it has been taken away from either Newport or Cardiff since its inception in 1992, Perry kicked off proceedings with a 4-0 win over Mark King.
O'Sullivan claimed victory by the same margin over Oliver Lines and Neil Robertson triumphed 4-1 against Andrew Higginson.
Oliver Briffett-Payne, a Welsh wildcard, went down 4-1 to Robbie Williams.
Home favourite Mark Williams produced a momentum-swinging break of 76 in the fourth frame to overcome compatriot Michael White 4-2 while John Higgins was in scintillating form and hit two centuries to whitewash Alexander Ursenbacher.
Meanwhile, Kyren Wilson, one of 11 players in the running to win the £150,000 BetVictor Series, saw off Asjad Iqbal with a 4-1 victory.
Masters champion Trump cruised past David Grace by a 4-0 score while Luca Brecel won 4-1 against Sean O'Sullivan.
World number two Mark Selby had to recover from going two frames down to see off Jamie O'Neill and Mark Allen beat Alfie Burden.
Jack Lisowski raced into the second round with a whitewash over Zhang Anda thanks to a 138 break, the highest of the Home Nations Series event so far.
