Northern Ireland Open: Judd Trump, John Higgins and Mark Selby claim impressive opening wins as Zhao Xintong crashes out

A number of big names were in action on day one of the Northern Ireland Open in Belfast. The likes of world No. 1 Judd Trump, John Higgins and Mark Selby all took to the baize for the second Home Nations event of the season and booked their respective places in the next round. There was, however, a big casualty as world champion Zhao Xintong fell at the first hurdle to continue his poor run.

'A fine finish' - Trump wraps up victory over McGill

Video credit: TNT Sports

The Northern Ireland Open began with a bang in Belfast on Sunday as world No. 55 Jordan Brown delighted his home support with a shock 4-0 whitewash of world champion Zhao Xintong.

Despite producing a highest break of only 51, Brown dominated the tactical battles against a struggling Zhao, who was a shadow of the man who became China's first world champion in May.

The Antrim favourite, who is a precarious 64th in the end of season rankings that could see him lose his tour card, secured a last-32 meeting at the city's Waterfront Hall with Ashley Hugill.

BetVictor Northern Ireland Open

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Elsewhere in the first round, world No. 1 Judd Trump found some excellent scoring form, compiling four 60+ breaks, to overcome recent British Open runner-up Anthony McGill with a 4-2 win that set up a clash with Jackson Page.

Mark Selby also eased past Ian Burns 4-1, running in a 129 in the second frame, to book himself a meeting with Jack Lisowski, who drubbed Haris Tahir 4-0.

Meanwhile, Selby's fellow four-time world champion John Higgins enjoyed a 4-0 whitewash of Louis Heathcote, boosted by breaks of 84, 95 and 61.

The Scotsman will next take on Pang Junxu for a last-16 spot.

Around the tables: latest scores

David Gilbert 2-4 He Guoqiang
Judd Trump 4-2 Anthony McGill
Jackson Page 4-0 Steven Hallworth
Jack Lisowski 4-0 Haris Tahir
John Higgins 4-0 Louis Heathcote

Higgins 3-0 Heathcote (97-25)

A big crowd stayed to watch Higgins produce the goods in Belfast. On goes the four-time world champion, through to the last 32.

Higgins 3-0 Heathcote (82-25)

John finishing off a very fine performance for victory over a struggling opponent, who has never really settled this evening.

Higgins 3-0 Heathcote (75-25)

Fighting hard to keep this break going. And the black doesn't drop before white goes in off to left middle too. The end is nigh now.

Higgins 3-0 Heathcote (61-24)

Is there a sting in the tail coming here? Out come the reds from Louis on top cush. Battling to stay alive in the event.

Higgins 3-0 Heathcote (61-1)

Superb cut on a black by John using the rest to continue break. Excellent pot on a tricky red seconds later. Followed by a majestic blue. Lovely stuff. Really is. But he then misses red to left centre on cusp of victory. Wow! Not yet a done deal.

Higgins 3-0 Heathcote (40-0)

'It is inspiring for us' - Selby motivated by Williams success at 50

Video credit: TNT Sports

Higgins 3-0 Heathcote (23-0)

Pink is moved onto the brown spot. John gets a kick on a white. Never seen that coming. Don't see that many of them this weather. But still back on black.

Higgins 3-0 Heathcote (16-0)

All seems to be going the way of John now as he gets another early prod at these balls in the fourth frame. Louis will be fearing the worst here.

Higgins 3-0 Heathcote (0-0)

John flew over to Belfast from Glasgow this morning, and is flying high tonight. One more frame required for victory.

Around the tables: latest scores

David Gilbert 2-4 He Guoqiang
Judd Trump 4-2 Anthony McGill
Jackson Page 4-0 Steven Hallworth
Jack Lisowski 4-0 Haris Tahir
John Higgins 4-0 Louis Heathcote

Higgins 2-0 Heathcote (80-8)

Is he going to unearth a century here? Every chance now. Winner of this will taken on Pang Junxu in the last 32. Misses final red on 95, but job done by John. A 3-0 lead.

Higgins 2-0 Heathcote (72-8)

John putting away these balls with little or no second guessing. In goes red to left middle before he screws back for black, and John looks good for the last 32.

Higgins 2-0 Heathcote (25-8)

John growing in stature the longer he is out there. Clearly in stroke now. Makes it look incredibly easy when he is feeling the flow. A bit like O'Sullivan and Williams. All seems like second nature.

Higgins 1-0 Heathcote (96-18)

84 from John to the final black and that is a 2-0 lead in the bag for the Scottish icon. Looking very sharp.

Higgins 1-0 Heathcote (76-18)

Higgins with a highest break of only 39 so far. But looks good for a 2-0 lead. Studying a possible plant on red to finish it off. And in goes the reverse plant on reds. Black is the insurance policy. Frame over. And in goes the final red too.

Higgins 1-0 Heathcote (47-18)

Not too far away from getting second frame wrapped up. Nice stun shot on a black to hold for next red.

Higgins 1-0 Heathcote (30-18)

Another missed black by Louis is just not what he needs. Higgins not really punished for any of the misses he is making in Belfast. John nudging out a red from potting green to continue this visit to table. Fine shot.

Higgins 1-0 Heathcote (12-10)

Both men missing fairly routine balls early on, but Louis has chance here to get his cue arm working in second frame.

Higgins 1-0 Heathcote (0-1)

John with a 5-2 win over Louis in the last eight of the British Open last month. Heathcote goes for a long red, but again off the potting angle. Higgins out with the rest, but he undercuts that red.

Higgins 0-0 Heathcote (106-17)

22 from John at latest visit, but enough to leave Louis chasing a snooker or two. A bit of a sluggish start to match, but Higgins will happily take the lead in race to four.

Higgins 0-0 Heathcote (54-17)

Only 14 added to the Higgins column as a red across table doesn't drop. But Heathcote then misses a red down table to yellow bag and sticks it up on way back down. Surely going to be a 1-0 lead for the Scotsman now.

Higgins 0-0 Heathcote (32-17)

This already looks like a very decent chance for Heathcote, but he misses black off the spot on 17. These pockets are not the most generous. Higgins drops in a red to left middle.

Higgins 0-0 Heathcote (31-8)

John seeing a red fail to drop on 31 before missing black off the spot. Wasn't easy, but expected him to make it. Chance presented to launch the counter punch.

Higgins 0-0 Heathcote (24-0)

Louis goes for a long red, but is unfortunate to get double kiss when he missed it. Higgins with hand on table looking to score here.

Higgins 0-0 Heathcote (0-0)

Higgins with the honour at the start of this first frame. He breaks off. And a solid enough break-off shot too.

Higgins 0-0 Heathcote (0-0)

"I think nowadays you've just got to worry about your own game, and worry about getting your own level up," said Higgins on TNT Sports ahead of his meeting with Louis Heathcote.

Around the tables: latest scores

David Gilbert 2-4 He Guoqiang
Judd Trump 4-2 Anthony McGill
Jackson Page 4-0 Steven Hallworth
Jack Lisowski 1-0 Haris Tahir
John Higgins 0-0 Louis Heathcote

Trump 3-2 McGill (83-36)

An excellent clearance of 82 from Trump to see out the match for a 4-2 win. A bit closer than he might have liked, but all about securing the victory.

Trump 3-2 McGill (56-36)

Super pot on a plant on two reds by Trump to continue this visit to the table. In goes red to left centre and back nicely for black. Closing in on a last-32 meeting with Jackson Page then. Colours on spots.

Trump 3-2 McGill (25-36)

Trump with chance to get this match won via a counter attack in progress here. Has to be mindful of white with four reds in open for potting.

Trump 3-2 McGill (1-36)

A cameo knock of 20 from McGill before he loses white. Just safety to follow from the Scot.

Trump 3-2 McGill (1-17)

Well, the mood music of this match seems to be changing as a yellow to green bag by Trump doesn't drop. That pocket not kind to him in past two frames.

Trump 3-2 McGill (0-16)

Bit of amusement as the referee calls Anthony McGill 'Anthony Hamilton'. Will be no laughing matter for Trump if he loses this match.

Trump 3-2 McGill (0-12)

Super long red by Ant as he tries to piece together some points to force a decider. Only 12 produced, but a good safety to follow.

Trump 3-2 McGill (0-0)

A possible two frames to be played in this contest. McGill with the honour in the sixth frame. Highest break is 41 in this match so far.

Trump 3-1 McGill (52-59)

Safety error by Trump in leaving black over green pocket and McGill stays still to drop in long black. Still in the hunt then at 3-2 behind.

Trump 3-1 McGill (52-52)

McGill goes all out for the cut on long black, but doesn't drop. Gets second prize as black runs safe.

Trump 3-1 McGill (52-52)

Scores level now as Anthony clears up green, brown, blue and pink. Left with a tough black along top cushion. But opts to play the safety shot on black. Knocks black onto side rail.

Trump 3-1 McGill (52-34)

Stunning pot on a pink to left middle and suddenly is looking for yellow, green and brown to seal the deal. But green with the rest rattles the jaws. Didn't see that miss coming.

Trump 3-1 McGill (29-34)

Blunder by McGill to leave Trump a mid-range starter. And pink is drained to right centre too. Pink back on spot now. Excellent pot. Chance for Judd to get this match finalised.

Trump 3-1 McGill (15-34)

McGill seems to be doing a lot of work without earning much from his visit. Eventually, red with rest doesn't drop on 33 break. Pink and black really the key to winning any frame. When they're not in play, all bets are off.

Trump 3-1 McGill (15-8)

Judd reaching 15, but breaks down as tricky red to left middle fails to drop. Antman looking to get pink into play with black tied up.

Trump 3-1 McGill (6-1)

Trump can't sink a long red early in fifth frame. But isn't punished as Ant fails to drop in a tricky black. Trump keen to build a lead at this visit.

Trump 3-1 McGill (0-0)

And Page comes through that match with a 4-0 victory to secure a meeting with Trump or McGill in the next round.

Trump 3-1 McGill (0-0)

Winner of this match will take on Jackson Page or Steven Hallworth in the last 32. Page leading 3-0 in that one.

Trump 2-1 McGill (87-0)

Break moves to 67 with little or no fuss. Yellow stays out, but that is irrelevant. McGill needing a bit three-frame burst now. Trump follows the 62 and 68 with 67. Looking very sharp out there.

Trump 2-1 McGill (55-0)

These best-of-seven frame matches are real sprints, but Trump has strong record in them. Enough reds and pinks in open to see this away for a 3-1 advantage.

Trump 2-1 McGill (27-0)

Judd with a lead of 26 before McGill can't sink a long red. Pressure suddenly being applied to the McGill game, who then throws in another error as double kiss on a red sticks up an easy opener for Trump.

Trump 2-1 McGill (21-0)

Trump left with a red to attack over right middle. In goes the red followed by blue to left middle. And then another excellent pot on a red brings him back for blue. Some bright shots being played in this contribution so far.

Around the tables: latest scores

David Gilbert 2-4 He Guoqiang
Judd Trump 4-2 Anthony McGill
Jackson Page 4-0 Steven Hallworth

Trump 1-1 McGill (76-4)

In goes the black off the spot as he heads towards a 2-1 lead. Looking very commanding as he produces a rapid 68 to move clear. McGill heads for a comfort break to take time out.

Trump 1-1 McGill (47-4)

One big safety blunder by McGill, and he might be done for this third frame. Can only hope that Judd slips up.

Trump 1-1 McGill (14-4)

McGill with a safety blunder from deep. Bit of an error and suddenly Judd is handed chance to build on his narrow lead.

Trump 1-1 McGill (7-0)

Judd goes for an audacious pot on a red to green pocket, but is foiled as object ball comes back out. Wasn't really close.

Trump 1-1 McGill (0-0)

Off we go then for the third frame of this match. All very finely poised.

Trump 0-1 McGill (109-0)

Two visits from McGill in first frame, two visits from Trump in second frame. All square at the Waterfront.

Trump 0-1 McGill (72-0)

Blue is dropped in. And that should be 1-1 now. A fine response from the world No. 1 in Belfast. He restores parity at 1-1.

Trump 0-1 McGill (54-0)

Brilliant pot on a pink to left centre by Judd. And that could be a frame-winner. Was a lot of pressure on that pot, but he made it look easy.

Trump 0-1 McGill (47-0)

Trump puffing his cheeks. Makes 40, but loses the white. And he doesn't play a good safety either. McGill opts for safety shot.

Trump 0-1 McGill (33-0)

Black and reds out in the open. Not ridiculous to suggest Antman won't be coming back to the table in second frame.

Trump 0-1 McGill (23-0)

Trump with his first scoring chance of the evening. In goes a tricky black with tough cueing before a red along top rail is despatched. Would expect him to make a few now at this visit..

Around the tables: latest scores

David Gilbert 0-0 He Guoqiang
Judd Trump 0-1 Anthony McGill
Jackson Page 0-0 Steven Hallworth

Trump 0-1 McGill (0-0)

Well, we witnessed a big shock earlier today with Jordan Brown drubbing world champion Zhao Xintong 4-0. Are we going to witness a surprise involving the world No. 1 here?

Trump 0-0 McGill (8-80)

Judd pushing boat out looking for a long red. Doesn't drop and that sets up Ant for the killer squeeze in frame. Needed a second bite at cherry. But job done. A 1-0 lead for the Glaswegian.

Trump 0-0 McGill (8-41)

But he misses the black off spot with the rest. Well now. What a chance he has presented here to Trump. But he completely loses the white in slotting black that McGill missed.

Trump 0-0 McGill (0-40)

First chance of the evening falls to McGill. Not a bad chance here to build a lead with red drained to left middle. Looks like a man who reached the British Open final with the pack disturbed nicely off black. This is very smooth cueing from Ant.

Trump 0-0 McGill (0-0)

We are up and running with the first frame of a possible seven. Trump the man to get the balls moving. Trump leading 8-2 in career head-to-heads between these two.

Thanks for joining us

We will be back at 7pm with four-time champion Judd Trump beginning his title campaign against Anthony McGill this evening. Big news of the afternoon is out-of-sorts world champion Zhao Xintong losing 4-0 to Antrim potter Jordan Brown, who produced a highest break of only 51 in victory. Brown's reward is a meeting with Ashley Hugill for a last-16 spot.

Result: Selby 4-1 Burns

"Overall, I played quite well," said Selby on TNT Sports. "It is difficult because the standard is so tough, but even for me, I'm always critical about my own performance. Unless I win a title, I find it hard to get confidence. I've got to change that mindset."

‘Pure class’ - Selby doubles lead over Burns with total clearance

Video credit: TNT Sports

Selby 3-1 Burns (70-1)

Pink doesn't drop for Ian to left middle, and that will be enough to see the handshake come. A 4-1 win for Selby. He is through to the last 32.

Selby 3-1 Burns (70-0)

Not much more required then to put this match to bed. In goes frame-ball red with the rest. And pink disappears to right middle too. Burns requiring snookers then.

Selby 3-1 Burns (50-0)

Selby using the rest to good effect as another red is powered in. Screws back to blue. Right side of blue too. But he misses a difficult plant on two reds. Still a decent amount of points on the table for Burns to counter, but a smashing long red from Selby is immaculate.

Selby 3-1 Burns (25-0)

Is this the final thrust then for Selby to get this match won? Reaches 25 with more to come via blue. Black out of commission for the moment.

Around the tables: latest scores

Wu Yize 4-3 Scott Donaldson
Noppon Saengkham 2-4 Ashley Hugill
Zhao Xintong 0-4 Jordan Brown
Mark Selby 4-1 Ian Burns
Pang Junxu 0-1 Robbie Williams
Hossein Vafaei 0-1 Ben Woollaston
Chris Wakelin 4-1 Lan Yuhao

Selby 3-0 Burns (2-65)

64 break from Ian, his finest moment of the match to close back to 3-1 behind.

Selby 3-0 Burns (2-51)

On brink of wining frame, and in goes pink he needs. Back in the ball game then in Belfast.

Selby 3-0 Burns (2-43)

Very nice here from Burns in putting away these balls after being frozen out.

Selby 3-0 Burns (2-30)

Burns faced with a tough recovery pot to left middle, but makes it look easy. Big opportunity then to register his first frame of match here.

Selby 3-0 Burns (2-7)

Not sure Ian is enjoying this experience so far. 15 his highest break, but he is handed an easy opener after Selby misses brown using rest.

Selby 3-0 Burns (1-1)

Winner of this one take on Jack Lisowski or Haris Tahir in last 32. Chances for Ian Burns in the fourth frame, but not being able to bring his A game to the party so far.

Selby 2-0 Burns (115-20)

A 48 break to finish off the third frame. Looking good for progress at the Waterfront Hall in Belfast.

‘Pure class’ - Selby doubles lead over Burns with total clearance

Video credit: TNT Sports

Selby 2-0 Burns (79-14)

Burns failing to make any dent in the lead as a red to a top bag refuses to drop. Looks like 3-0 incoming now.

Selby 2-0 Burns (67-6)

A lead of 46 points for Mark before he cans another trademark long one. Super stun shot to hold for pink to right middle. Closing in then on a 3-0 lead. In goes red with the rest. Very nice indeed from the Leicester man. Burns failed to take his one chance at outset of frame, and it is likely to cost him.

Selby 2-0 Burns (25-6)

Ian Burns forced to sit and suffer a bit more here in the third frame of a possible seven. Chance for the former world No. 1 to build a handy lead on this opening afternoon in Belfast.

Selby 2-0 Burns (9-6)

Burns failing to punch in a red across the table. Not sure sure the world No. 110 could get a clear glance at potting angle. Selby returns to the table.

Selby 1-0 Burns (129-0)

A total clearance of 129 from Selby and there we have it. A 2-0 lead for the Leicester player. Looking very sharp at close range.

Selby 1-0 Burns (70-0)

Frame ball red is downed. A 35-minute opener, but this one has just raced by.

Selby 1-0 Burns (56-0)

Lovely controlled pot on pink by Selby. Manages to use a red to hold for next red. Excellent little shot. Potted so well.

Selby 1-0 Burns (50-0)

This is much more like it from Selby. Was left a red to left centre, and Mark has just scooped up the offerings. In goes a red with extended rest and on goes Mark.

Selby 1-0 Burns (36-0)

This looks very promising for a decent contribution from Mark. Black on brown spot, but he has the cue ball under lock and key here. So far.

Selby 1-0 Burns (16-0)

Selby at the table here looking to build a lead in the second frame.

Selby 1-0 Burns (0-0)

Headline act this evening is world No. 1 Judd Trump taking on Anthony McGill at 7pm.

Selby 0-0 Burns (83-48)

Selby cans the green, brown and blue to finally see out a 35-minute frame. He leads 1-0 in race to four.

Around the tables: latest scores

Wu Yize 4-3 Scott Donaldson
Noppon Saengkham 2-4 Ashley Hugill
Zhao Xintong 0-4 Jordan Brown
Mark Selby 3-1 Ian Burns
Pang Junxu 0-1 Robbie Williams
Hossein Vafaei 0-1 Ben Woollaston

Selby 0-0 Burns (71-40)

A 33-minute frame in progress with Burns slotting red and black to close to 31 behind on the colours.

Selby 0-0 Burns (71-32)

This first frame slipping slowly into the Belfast afternoon. A safety exchange on the final red. But Burns nudges green instead of red. So he needs a snooker now. For the second time in the frame.

Selby 0-0 Burns (67-32)

Selby missing a long red chance to finish off the frame for a second time.

Selby 0-0 Burns (67-32)

A snooker required by Burns otherwise it will be Selby's frame. Not really sort of bloke you want to be chasing snookers against. But Selby misses red off top cushion. Which means he can tie the frame.

Selby 0-0 Burns (53-13)

Only 13 coming off the Burns response. Which isn't going to cut it as Selby slams in a long red. Chance to get this opening frame wrapped up then.

Selby 0-0 Burns (39-7)

Burns slides in red using rest after the Selby miss on black. Chance to recover in this frame.

Selby 0-0 Burns (39-0)

What a stunning pot by Selby to bridge over and another ball in powering in a red. But he then misses mid-range black. Straight pot, but miscued the connection.

Selby 0-0 Burns (38-0)

Selby into the pack off the blue, but doesn't get the correct split on pack. Just the safety to follow then for Mark.

Selby 0-0 Burns (9-0)

Excellent long red down table by Selby to get his cue arm working early doors. Looking to quickly make some capital at this first visit of the day.

Selby 0-0 Burns (0-0)

Next match on the main showpiece table is four-time world champion Mark Selby against Ian Burns. Selby will be hoping to avoid a shock exit in that one.

Around the tables: latest scores

Wu Yize 4-3 Scott Donaldson
Noppon Saengkham 1-3 Ashley Hugill
Zhao Xintong 0-4 Jordan Brown
Mark Selby 0-0 Ian Burns
Pang Junxu v Robbie Williams
Hossein Vafaei 0-0 Ben Woollaston

Result: Zhao 0-4 Brown

Zhao 0-3 Brown (0-88)

On goes the 'Antrim Ferrari' Jordan Brown, who is through to the last 32 with some ease. A huge roar of approval from the Belfast crowd.

Zhao 0-3 Brown (0-87)

Lap of honour for Brown in this fourth frame. Is going to complete the whitewash against an opponent who hasn't offered much today.

Zhao 0-3 Brown (0-67)

In goes a terrfic long red, and follows it up with black. Looks like job done now in Belfast.

Zhao 0-3 Brown (0-51)

Terrific pot on blue and he is on the next red, but plays a poor positional shot on brink of victory. That is a shocker. Forced to nudge blue safe in making 51. Brown with four wins this season, but this fifth one would be his highlight.

‘No margin for error’ - Brown pots stunning brown to take second frame

Video credit: TNT Sports

Zhao 0-3 Brown (0-18)

Brown with first poke at these balls again in the fourth frame after a superb opening red. Would love to get this match won in one visit here. Up for blue and in and out of baulk. Which is appreciated by the home fans.

Zhao 0-2 Brown (4-64)

48 from Brown and that is enough to see the Antrim man move three up with a possible four to play. This could be a quick farewell to Belfast for the world champion.

Zhao 0-2 Brown (4-50)

This is some stout stuff from Jordan. Not majestic, but very gritty. 35 the highest break of the match and counting. "His safety play has been very good. It has frustrated Zhao Xintong," says 1986 world champion Joe Johnson.

Zhao 0-2 Brown (4-16)

This won't live long in the memory banks this third frame. Like the rest of the match, but there will be a huge cheer if Jordan can come up with the goods in front of his home crowd.

Zhao 0-2 Brown (0-9)

Zhao is all over the show today. Performing very poorly. Not scoring and not offering much safety resistance either. Brown has a big opportunity here to complete a win over the world champion, who goes for a three-ball plant but is nowhere near it. Highest break of match is only 29.

Zhao 0-1 Brown (43-59)

Huge cheer from the locals as Brown sinks brown and blue to snatch another tough second frame. No breaks over 30 in the match, but won't matter to Jordan. Who is halfway to defeating the world champion in their first meeting.

‘How many of those did he miss at the Crucible?’ - Zhao’s 'unbelievable' error stuns commentators

Video credit: TNT Sports

Zhao 0-1 Brown (33-51)

Down to the final red with Brown in a spot of bother too. But he escapes from a snooker to boost his hopes of a 2-0 lead. Not exactly a vintage contest in progress, but won't matter if Brown moves two ahead.

Zhao 0-1 Brown (25-39)

Brown with a nice shot on pink to develop red to left middle. In control most of this match without scoring at a prodigious rate.

Zhao 0-1 Brown (25-18)

Bad miss by Brown when he had chance to at least gain lead in the frame. Zhao returns to table. But he quickly misses a blue to green bag. Just not happening for him so far in this match. All very scrappy.

Zhao 0-1 Brown (23-14)

But only runs in 23 before missing an easy red. Well, wasn't missing those at the Crucible. That is a bad miss, it must be said. Brown being given plenty of scope to believe a shock could be on cards today.

Zhao 0-1 Brown (16-0)

Excellent long red from Zhao to gain access to the table. Can he produce some scoring form here? Expect him to make a few with hand on table.

Zhao 0-0 Brown (5-76)

Zhao in all sorts of trouble being left in further snookers that he can't escape from. And eventually says enough is enough. Not a one-big hit visit from Brown, but he staggers over line in installaments. A 1-0 lead for the home hope.

Zhao 0-0 Brown (5-67)

Brown in a very strong position in this opening frame, but Zhao brings pink into play on a safety shot. One chance for Zhao could change the mood music very quickly. Brown has to be careful.

Zhao 0-0 Brown (5-66)

Only adding a red and blue before running out of position. Still plenty of points on board for Zhao to mount a comeback.

Zhao 0-0 Brown (5-60)

Brown with a nice little cameo knock before he sticks Zhao in a fiendish snooker behind the blue. 16 points mounted up before he hits black on the fifth attempt in playing a different shot. Golden chance for Brown to take out this first frame now.

Zhao 0-0 Brown (4-29)

Both men missing easy balls early on in this first frame. Which means Jordan is back at the table. And back in business. But he hits green trying to run the white up and down the table off a red. Fine pot on brown to a top bag to remain at table.

Zhao 0-0 Brown (4-0)

Zhao gets the balls moving for the first frame of this contest. First man to four frames will advance. Jordan Brown battling to stay on tour. World No. 64 at the moment on end-of-season rankings.

Zhao bids to build on Crucible title win

World champion Zhao Xintong has made the sport's most centuries this season, with 22 and counting, but such a prolific level of scoring has not been matched by results, with a run to the last 16 of the Saudi Arabia Masters in August his best performance at a ranking event so far this season. A 5-2 loss to Robert Milkins in the last 64 of the Xi'an Grand Prix was another premature exit for Zhao.