McGill Begins Defence With Win

Defending Indian Open Champion Anthony McGill got his campaign off to a fine start, defeating home star Aditya Mehta 4-0.

The Scot beat Kyren Wilson in last year’s final to lift the silverware. India’s number one Mehta has enjoyed success in his home tournament before. He was runner-up to Ding Junhui in 2013.

However, today it was McGill who looked to be in clinical form. He came through the victor with breaks of 76, 65 and 94.

Shaun Murphy overcame local wildcard Pandurangaiah 4-2 in what proved to be a fragmented encounter.

The Magician is on a fine run of form currently having reached back to back finals at the China Championship and the Paul Hunter Classic. However, Murphy struggled to capture that standard this afternoon. Murphy made his first break over 50, a run of 66, in the sixth frame to help get himself over the line.

Murphy remarked: “When you are apparently meant to win easily that brings it’s own pressures, but I can only go out there and try my best. I thought he aquitted himself very well. The balls ran into awkward positions and the game was quite tough. On another day I could easily have lost that match.

“You don’t get any points for winning in style. It’s first to four and then onto the next match. I’ll come back tomorrow and hopefully will pick up the pace a little bit.”

2006 World Champion Graeme Dott put on a fine display to see off Jack Lisowski in a 4-1 win. There were breaks of 71, 56 and 61 for the Scot on his way to the victory.

Ricky Walden came from 3-2 down to defeat Alfie Burden 4-3. He’ll face Ben Woollaston in the next round.