John Higgins and Judd Trump have made it through to the second round of the Dafabet English Open but they were made to work hard for their respective victories. Four-time world champion Higgins, who secured his first ranking title of the season at last month’s Indian Open, squeezed past world number 77 Elliott Slessor 4-3 at the Barnsley Metrodome.
The Scot had looked in danger of suffering a surprise first-round exit, as he trailed 3-2 in the best of seven match, but a break of 75 in the penultimate frame helped swing the contest in his favour and he ultimately secured his place in round two. World number four Trump, who was runner-up in the inaugural English Open last season and came into the tournament fresh from his success in last week’s European Masters, also needed a deciding frame to book his place in round two, as he saw off fellow Englishman Robbie Williams.
The 28-year-old had looked on top form as he recorded two-century breaks early in the contest, but he too needed to win the final two frames to seal a place in round two, a feat he just about managed to achieve. Defending champion Liang Wenbo, who beat Trump 9-6 in last year’s final, is also through to round two, but he secured his passage in relatively comfortable fashion, beating Welshman Duane Jones 4-1.
Other notable winners on the opening day of the tournament were Barry Hawkins, who beat Peter Lines 4-2, Stuart Bingham, who dismantled Lee Walker 4-0 and Kyren Wilson, who was another player that was taken the distance as he beat Rod Lawler 4-3.
Dafabet English Open odds available at Dafabet.