THE second day of the China Open proved a good one for some of snooker’s top stars as they enjoyed solid first round wins in Beijing.

The likes of Mark Selby, Judd Trump, John Higgins, Ding Junhui and Shaun Murphy sailed into the last 32 stage of the penultimate major of the snooker calendar.

Despite losing the first frame, Ding kept alive his hopes of winning a record-equalling fifth major title in one season after beating John Astley 5-1.

Trump beat Kurt Maflin by the same scoreline, so did Murphy who comfortably beat Jamie Cope.

Higgins, winner of four World Championship titles, beat Michael Wasley 5-2 and Selby beat Stuart Carrington 5-3 to set up a second round tie against Nigel Bond.

The day also saw impressive wins for Ricky Walden and Craig Steadman.

Walden beat Indian star Pankaj Advani 5-1 and Steadman, looking set to drop off the main tour, recorded a 5-1 win against Nottingham’s Michael Holt.

Former world champion Mark Williams set up a second round clash against world number one Neil Robertson after beating Anthony McGill 5-3.

China’s Yu Delu, who knocked out Ronnie O’Sullivan in the recent PTC Finals, continued his good form with a 5-3 win over Duane Jones.

Two times World Championship runner-up Ali Carter sailed through to the next round after thrashing Welshman Jamie Jones 5-0.

China Open 2014 – Last 32 Draw

Neil ROBERTSON vs Mark WILLIAMS
James WATTANA vs Yu DELU
Luca BRECEL vs Dominic DALE
Graeme DOTT vs Dave HAROLD
Shaun MURPHY vs Dechawat POOMJAENG
Xiao GUODONG vs Ricky WALDEN
Ali CARTER vs Matthew SELT
Peter EBDON vs Judd TRUMP
Ding JUNHUI vs Thepchaiya UN-NOOH
Michael WHITE vs John HIGGINS
Marco FU vs Mark KING
Jamie O’NEILL vs Fergal O’BRIEN
Martin O’DONNELL vs Craig STEADMAN
Mike DUNN vs Tian PENGFEI
Jimmy WHITE vs Alfie BURDEN
Nigel BOND vs Mark SELBY