Snooker: Trump and Allen crash out in Preston

Judd Trump and Mark Allen were surprise first-round casualties at the Ladbrokes World Grand Prix at the Guild Hall on Tuesday.

World number three Trump won the first frame in Preston but fell victim to a fine display by Michael White, the Welshman winning 4-1 with breaks of 55 in the third frame and 89 in the fourth.

Stephen Maguire on his way to victory over Li Hang (eventphotos67)

placeholder image — Stephen Maguire on his way to victory over Li Hang (eventphotos67)

Allen led Xiao Guodong 3-0 after breaks of 86 in the first frame and 51 in the third.

But the Chinese player roared back with breaks of 89, 78 and 71 to win it in a decider.

Xiao Guodong in action at the Guild Hall in Preston (eventphotos67)

John Higgins came out on the right side of a final-frame shoot-out with Ali Carter ,while Joe Perry won 4-2 against the in-form Graeme Dott.

Shaun Murphy wrapped up his 4-1 win over Ricky Walden with a century, as did Neil Robertson having already hit 58, 90 and 59 against David Gilbert.

There were also comfortable wins for Scots Stephen Maguire, 4-0 against Li Hang capped by a 96 break, and Anthony McGill who beat Cao Yupeng 4-1 with breaks of 102, 52 and 66.

RESULTS

First round: Shaun Murphy (Eng) bt Ricky Walden (Eng) 4-1, Neil Robertson (Aus) bt David Gilbert (Eng) 4-1, Michael White (Wal) bt Judd Trump (Eng) 4-1, Anthony McGill (Sco) bt Cao Yupeng (Chn) 4-1, Joe Perry (Eng) bt Graeme Dott (Sco) 4-2, John Higgins (Sco) bt Allister Carter (Eng) 4-3, Stephen Maguire (Sco) bt Li Hang (Chn) 4-0, Xiao Guodong (Chn) bt Mark Allen (NIrl) 4-3.