Rhys Clark. Picture by Monique Limbos

CHINA Open semi-finalist Mike Dunn was sent back crashing down to earth after suffering a heavy first round defeat to amateur Rhys Clark in the World Championship Qualifiers – just days after recording his highest achievement in the game.

Less than a week ago Dunn defeated World number two Mark Selby to reach the semi-finals of the China Open – a brilliant run which effectively ensured his tour place for next season.

But maybe his bid to reach the Crucible in snooker’s biggest event came too soon for the Redcar potter following his best week since playing the game as he lost 10-2 to an impressive Clark.

The Scottish youngster, who faced Ronnie O’Sullivan in the first round of the UK Championship in December, compiled seven breaks of more than 50 during the win and will face Matthew Selt in the next round.

The second day of the World Championship saw Thailand star and former World Championship semi-finalist James Wattana relegated from the main tour after he suffered an agonising 10-9 defeat to Alex Borg.

Defeats for Sheffield’s Adam Duffy and Sean O’Sullivan also condemned them to relegation from the tour after they lost to Igor Figuieredo and Mitchell Travis respectively – Travis, who beat Marco Fu and Kurt Maflin in the UK Championship, won a final frame decider against O’Sullivan.

Sam Baird, who last year won all four matches to qualify for the Crucible, fell at the first hurdle after he lost 10-9 to John Astley and Malta’s Tony Drago will have to rely on other results if he his to stay on the tour for next season after he crashed to a 10-3 loss to Robin Hull.

Talented Scot Scott Donaldson managed to battle sickness during his match against Ahmed Saif but came through a 10-6 winner.

Australian Vinne Calabrese battled back from behind to defeat Thailand’s Noppon Saengkham via a final frame decider and Switzerland’s Alexander Ursenbacher pulled off an impressive 10-7 win over Ireland’s David Morris.

Former world championship semi-finalist Joe Swail also reached the next round thanks to a 10-7 win over Alex Davies.

The Old Green Baize’s Player of the Day – Rhys Clark: A fine performance from the young Scot who did not let Mike Dunn’s recent China Open triumph get to him. Seven breaks of 50+ will give him plenty of confidence ahead of his next match against Matthew Selt.

World Championship Qualifiers 2014 – Second Round Matches (to be played Thursday and Friday)

Dechawat POOMJAENG vs Zhang ANDA
Steve DAVIS vs Craig STEADMAN
Jimmy ROBERTSON vs Liam HIGHFIELD
Anthony McGILL vs Thanawat THIRAPONGPAIBOON
Alfie BURDEN vs Barry PINCHES
Rod LAWLER vs Kyren WILSON
Andrew HIGGINSON vs Martin O’DONNELL
Kurt MAFLIN vs Daniel WELLS
Peter LINES vs Cao XINLONG
Alan McMANUS vs Paul DAVISON
Aditya MEHTA vs Christopher KEOGAN
Jamie JONES vs Joel WALKER
Marcus CAMPBELL vs Alex BORG
Jamie COPE vs John ASTLEY
Tom FORD vs James CAHILL
Yu DELU vs Luca BRECEL
Mark JOYCE vs Chen ZHE
Rory McLEOD vs Michael WASLEY
Liu CHUANG vs Robbie WILLIAMS
Pankaj ADVANI vs Li HANG
Tian PENGFEI vs Robin HULL
Jimmy WHITE vs Ian BURNS
Martin GOULD vs Mitchell TRAVIS
Gerard GREENE vs Igor FIGUEIREDO
Jamie BURNETT vs Vinne CALABRESE
Cao YUPENG vs Scott DONALDSON
Jack LISOWSKI vs Stuart CARRINGTON
Nigel BOND vs Ross MUIR
Matthew SELT vs Rhys CLARK
Thepchaiya UN-NOOH vs Alexander URSENBACHER
Anthony HAMILTON vs Joe SWAIL
Dave HAROLD vs Li YAN