Mark Allen reached the second round of the Cazoo British Open in Cheltenham yesterday with a 4-1 win over Anthony McGill.
The Antrim man, who was runner-up to Ryan Day in the event last year, can take over as world number one if he goes one better this week, and he made a fine start despite losing the opening frame to the Scot.
Breaks of 57, 81 and 94 pulled him 3-1 clear before he wrapped up victory in a scrappy fifth frame.
Allen has a day off on Tuesday before taking on Kyren Wilson on Wednesday for a place in the last 32, the draw for which takes place on Tuesday night.
World champion Luca Brecel lost a deciding frame to Ding Junhui, while other big names to progress were defending champion Day, his fellow Welshman Mark Williams, Judd Trump and Neil Robertson.
Dubliners Fergal O’Brien and Ken Doherty are in action today against Noppon Saengkham and Matthew Stevens respectively.
