Trump fights back to beat Ford

Judd Trump at Preston Guild Hall (photo: Michael Ellison)

Trump, the 2015 winner, was forced to dig deep to beat Tom Ford after breaks of 87 and 102 gave his opponent a 2-1 lead.

But Trump responded immediately with a total clearance before winning the next two frames to wrap up a 4-2 first-round win.

Former UK Championship finalist Liang Wenbo proved too strong for Dominic Dale, easing to a 4-0 win with a top break of 92.

Later at the Guild Hall, Welshman Michael White compiled a superb break of 96 in the final frame to give him a dramatic 4-3 win over John Higgins.

With the clash locked at 3-3 going into a decider White compiled the highest break of the match to take the victory.

Barry Hawkins prevailed in a scrappy contest with Kyren Wilson, emerging as a 4-2 winner.

The tournament runs from until Sunday this week, with 32 of the world’s best players battling for a top prize of £100,000.

The draw and format has now been confirmed, following the conclusion of the last qualifying event, the German Masters, which finished on Sunday night with Anthony Hamilton beating Ali Carter in the final. The top 32 on the one-year ranking list have come through to Preston.