Joe Perry makes winning start to Welsh Open snooker title defence, Shaun Murphy coasts through, Stuart Bingham exit

Joe Perry made an impressive start to his Welsh Open snooker title defence with a 4-0 whitewash of former Northern Ireland Open winner Mark King in his tournament opener in Llandudno. 'The Gentleman' – top seed at the 11th ranking event of the season after lifting his first major title with a 9-5 victory against Judd Trump last year – finished with knocks of 62 and 52 to secure a last-64 clash with Mark Joyce at Venue Cymru.

Ad 2020 Welsh Open champion Shaun Murphy produced a similarly emphatic performance to drub Brazil's Victor Sarkis 4-0 on Monday morning. Welsh Open‘Like getting on a bike’ – O’Sullivan says he is ‘enjoying’ his snooker32 MINUTES AGO Breaks of 61, 75 and a delightful closing effort of 134 saw him set up a meeting with Peng Yisong in the last 64.

But 2017 winner Stuart Bingham is out after suffering a 4-1 defeat to Jackson Page. 2015 world champion Bingham opened with a 92 run, but Welsh talent Page claimed the next four frames, including a 131 effort in the fourth frame and a closing 63, to advance to a meeting with Ben Mertens.

The defeats ends Bingham's faint hopes of qualifying for the Players Championship in Wolverhampton next week with only the top 16 on the one-year list gaining access to the event. Occupying 32nd spot in the standings, Bingham needed to win the tournament and claim the £80,000 first prize to force his way into the top 16.

Tian Pengfei showed his scoring class with runs of 59, 87, 54 and 54 in a 4-1 success against former Shoot Out holder Michael Holt. Latest Welsh Open results (best of seven frames) Joe Perry 4-0 Mark King Shaun Murphy 4-0 Victor Sarkis Tian Pengfei 4-1 Michael Holt Jackson Page 4-1 Stuart Bingham Robertson to face new opponent in crunch Welsh Open opener