The opening day of the International Championship produced plenty of drama as some of the world’s top stars were made to battle hard for victory.

English Open runner-up Kyren Wilson looked set for an early exit when he trailed 4-2 to Tian Pengfei of China but a brilliant comeback with breaks of 89, 127 and 57 helped him win a thriller at 6-5.

Kyren Wilson. Picture by Monique Limbos

But other top stars had a more easier time of things on the table.

European Masters Judd Trump wasted no time in booking his place in the second round after thrashing Ian Burns 6-0. Trump was in impressive form as he fired in breaks of 78, 57, 115, 50, 105 and 127.

A top break of 112 and four other breaks of 50+ helped this season’s most in-form player Luca Brecel to a comfortable 6-1 win over Li Yuan.

John Higgins, who won this event two years ago, also enjoyed a fine win beating Elliot Slessor 6-1 despite losing the first frame.

A century break and four breaks of 50+ helped Australian Neil Robertson to a 6-2 win over Gary Wilson. Robertson is in search of a good run of victories to help him qualify for the prestigious The Masters event in January next year.

Meanwhile Riga Masters winner Ryan Day kept the Welsh flag flying as he came back from  behind to beat Kurt Maflin 6-5 and former world championship semi-finalist Ricky Walden produced a stunning fightback as he came back from 5-1 down to beat Peter Ebdon.

Elsewhere, there were routine wins for the likes of world number one Mark Selby, home favourite Ding Junhui and English Open 147 hero Liang Wenbo.