LIVE BLOG: Hossein Vafei Vs Lukas Kleckers

Hossein Vafei 4-2 Lukas Kleckers - Once that chance came for Hossein he swiftly seized it and put this match to bed. He never looked like giving Kleckers another chance and would finish in style with a fine break of 106 to clinch victory. From 2-2 he really took control of the match tactically and did not look like letting Kleckers back in. Positive signs this week for the German though with the two victories and he started the match really well with a cracking 131 so has no reason to feel too down. Hossein though is the worthy winner.

After a long period of safety Hossein gets back in with a good long pot and now has the chance to kill this match off. He's very well in control of this match whether he wins at this visit or not.

Frame 6 - You sense now that Hossein as the higher ranked player was starting to control this match after winning the last and then keeping his safety tight and getting the first chance in frame six here. He misses a red unexpectedly though but again leaves nothing for his opponent.

Frame Hossein - Kleckers then has a half chance but is unable to bring out the two safe reds from the side cushion and has to play safe still trailing by 32 with three reds left. Hossein pots a good red from distance soon after, potting the pink and the penultimate red to leave Kleckers needing two snookers. Kleckers is forced to pot the red soon after and opts to play for snookers on the yellow. The German ends up getting one on the brown before playing for one snooker on the pink to tie, but the position of the black made it unlikely. 3-2 now to Hossein.

This frame has gone quite scrappy now with reds lining up on the right side cushion. Hossein leads by 32 with the seven reds near the side cushion remaining. He's able to pot one though and release some more and is now in real control of the frame.

Frame 5 - It has been quite a tactical start to the frame but with Hossein having the upper hand on the safety and it has now earned him the first real chance of the frame. That is until he misses a red on the bottom cushion but again he leaves nothing and Kleckers has to play safe.

Frame Hossein - That missed blue does indeed end up costing Kleckers this frame and he'll be really disappointed with that. Hossein clears to the final two reds to leave Kleckers needing a snooker, but Hossein was in control of the tactical play thereafter and soon clinched the frame. We are all square again here at 2-2.

Kleckers is now in for his first chance of the frame, but he misses an easy blue on just five and hangs his head in disappointment. Hossein is in now and with the frame slightly more open now he has a good chance to level the match at this visit.

Frame 4 - A slow start to frame four so far. Hossein has potted a couple of good reds but been unable to get on colours from them. With blue, pink and black not on their spots and a few reds on cushions this could be quite a scrappy frame.

Frame Kleckers - Kleckers won the safety battle on the last two reds but could only pot one and lay a snooker on the last red. The snooker yielded 16 points though and after a long battle he then fluked the last red. Attempting to roll it in from distance he missed but double kissed the red which sent it in. With the black over the corner he was always going to be on a colour and he has cleared the remaining colours to take full advantage of his fortune and regain the lead at 2-1.

Hossein initially broke down after missing the awkward pink to the middle, but Kleckers missed his half chance and allowed Hossein back. It looked a straight forward run to the line but he snookered himself on the penultimate red behind the black on the bottom cushion, when he could have played anywhere on the right side of the table between the black and blue to have a shot on what was frame ball. Important safety battle now for the players.

Kleckers plays safe on just 9 after losing red ball position. Soon after he leaves a long red near the corner for Hossein who is in now with reds spread all over but pink and black are both awkward. Playing for the blue should not be an issue with the spread of the reds though, so this is certainly a good opportunity

For every piece of bad luck some good will follow and Kleckers has certainly made that true here. His safety plants a red into the left corner and his instant apology shows it was not intentional though he does land on the yellow and is now in with a very nice opportunity.

Frame 3 - Really unfortunate at the start of frame three for Kleckers as he gets the first chance and aggressively goes into the pack from the blue after the opening red, splitting reds far and wide but he did not have a path to pot anything so had to play safe. A better rub here or there could have left him with a great opening.

Frame Hossein - Not an especially clear cut frame as he had to rely on mistakes from his opponent, but Hossein adds another 26 to his earlier contributions and it proves more than enough to take this second frame and level up this match at 1-1. No reason for Kleckers to be disheartened though.

Hossein initially broke down on 28 after losing position. Kleckers then potted a red and was able to put Hossein in enough trouble that he has now earned a full scoring opportunity. He misses a very thin black on 9 though and Hossein should be able to finish off this frame now.

Frame 2 - A poor safety for Kleckers at the start of frame two leaves Hossein in at the business end of the table. There are a few reds open but they will need developing as the Iranian hopes to respond in kind to Kleckers opening frame century.

Frame Kleckers - The perfect start for Kleckers and this break is much better than anything he managed yesterday against Thepchaiya. He had the cue ball under much better control and made the whole break look easy with no trouble at any stage. That should give him a huge confidence boost with a wonderful 131 total clearance to start this match off and lead 1-0.

The break is now up to 40 and Kleckers has played an excellent shot to open up the pack of remaining reds. If he can keep the cue ball under control there's no reason why he should not win the frame at this visit now.

Frame 1 - First chance to Kleckers in the opening frame here as Hossein leaves him a red to the middle. It's a decent early chance and will be an indicator of his scoring early on, as it was probably the weakest part of his game yesterday.

More for the German fans this morning as Lukas Kleckers is in last 32 action against Hossein Vafei.

Both players were 4-3 winners yesterday with Hossein defeating Ross Muir while Kleckers overcame Thepchaiya Un-Nooh in a match I brought to you yesterday. Hossein also had a lucky escape winning 4-3 against Ashley Hugill and he is usually a dangerous player so Kleckers could have his work cut out for him here as he looks to achieve his best ranking run.

LIVE BLOG: Barry Hawkins Vs Ben Woollaston

Barry Hawkins 4-2 Ben Woollaston - Hawkins goes on to pot two further reds with no colours, but laying a snooker from the second of them. Woollaston hits the black with his escape which left him needing a snooker but he left a red too and would not return to the table. A very good night's work from Hawkins, while Woollaston put up a good fight but just could not match the quality of Hawkins in all departments.

Hawkins makes a very healthy contribution of 41, taking his lead to 53 with six reds left, but the break ends after he fails to bring out the four reds on the bottom cushion and is forced to play safe.

Frame 6 - After a very tactical start to this frame Woollaston had a half chance after fluking a red but his miss on the green leaves Hawkins in now with a great opportunity to build a sizeable lead as he looks to finish this match off.

Frame Woollaston - Hawkins has a chance to clear and win potting the final two reds, but coming unstuck on the safe green on the side cushion. He opts to play for a double but jaws it and leaves it on for Woollaston who does enough to stay in the match. Now only 3-2 behind.

Woollaston was going nicely until coming to the final three reds. Two were on the side cushion and the other directly behind the pink and he fails to cannon the one behind the pink and land on it so has to play safe, leading though by 22.

Hawkins unexpectedly missed the black on 28 in his early effort but left nothing on. Good safety from Woollaston sees him earn the next chance with plenty of open reds as he looks to keep fighting in this match, but the break ends before he can take the lead in the frame. He does put in a good safety though and it allows him back to the table immediately.

Frame 5 - Hawkins is in first this time and he's just pulled out an exceptional recovery red to the yellow pocket and with a few reds open this is a good looking chance as he looks to edge towards the last 32 here.

Frame Hawkins - It always looked a fantastic chance and Hawkins quickly took full advantage. He made it look easy from start to finish and as Woollaston looked like he could get close to him in this match he stretches away again like top players often do. A break of 77 in the end is more than enough to give him a 3-1 lead.

Hawkins wins the safety battle after potting a red to middle. The table is still very open with all the reds in play as well as the pink and black so this is a golden chance now for him to regain his two frame advantage.

Frame 4 - Woollaston gets in first once again in the fourth but his positional play lets him down again this time. He leaves himself a thin black, potting it but failing to get on the next red and playing safe on 22. All the reds are open now so whoever gets in next will fancy winning the frame.

Frame Woollaston - That was much more like it from Woollaston. Albeit the reds were open but he visibly seemed to relax once the frame was over and started potting them from everywhere in nonchalant fashion. A great clearance of 77 on the eye and he keeps himself in the match only trailing 2-1 now.

Woollaston breaks down on 36 initially after playing a third cannon to the reds and landing on nothing. After a small safety battle, Hawkins misses a red to the middle and Woollaston is now back in to build on his earlier lead and potentially take this frame.

Frame 3 - Woollaston gets the first good scoring chsnce in the third as he looks to stay in this contest. He gets into the reds twice very early in the break and has now developed this nicely into a frame winning opening.

Frame Hawkins - When Woollaston finally leaves the green on from distance for Hawkins, he seizes the chance with a thundering pot, landing perfectly on the brown on the baulk cushion and clearing the colours to double his lead. 2-0 now to the Hawk.

Hawkins adds 11 before breaking down with two reds left. Woollaston later gets in and pots the final two reds and the pair are now battling on the green, with Hawkins leading by eight.

Hawkins breaks down initially after failing to break into the three reds bunched in the middle of the table but he's back in now after a cracking long pot to try and put this frame to bed.

Woollaston takes on quite a low percentage shot into the middle overall and in the process leaves the same red into the opposite middle to give Hawkins the next scoring opportunity. He's worked into the bunch nicely and looks to be cueing really nicely so this is a great chance to double his lead.

Frame 2 - Woollaston gets his first scoring chance of the match after Hawkins makes a poor effort at a mid range red. Woollaston only makes 18 though before losing position.

Frame Hawkins - Hawkins is really starting to come into form. After all this always seems to be that two or three month period in the season where he produces his best. A very well crafted break of 69 gets him up and running here and is enough to leave Woollaston needing snookers. 1-0 Hawkins.

Frame 1 - Woollaston attempts a thin safety but misses the reds altogether and the cue ball comes down the table just far enough to leave a red in the middle for Hawkins. A good first chance this for Hawkins to set his stall out fir the contest.

Barry Hawkins and Ben Woollaston it is for my final match of the day over on table four.

Hawkins was a finalist here last year losing out to John Higgins and narrowly missed out on making last week's World Grand Prix final losing to Judd Trump 6-5 in the semi-final.

Woollaston though is also a former Welsh Open finalist back in 2015 when he too lost to John Higgins. Plenty in common then between these two players but only one can come out on top tonight.

LIVE BLOG: Thepchaiya Un-Nooh Vs Lukas Kleckers

Lukas Kleckers 4-3 Thepchaiya Un-Nooh - Kleckers clears down to the final four reds which is enough to leave Thepchaiya needing a snooker. After some safety play, Thepchaiya gets his chance to clear the reds choosing to pot them all but missing the final black meaning he needed three snookers on the yellow instead of one. Kleckers then eventually pots the green and later the brown after Un-Nooh continued for several snookers and that completes a good win. The German may not have scored heavily or taken his chances to finish the match sooner, but Thepchaiya was simply not at the races today and not his usual heavy scoring self, missing plenty of shots you would expect him to get. A much needed win for Kleckers in the end.

Kleckers lead rises to 43 but having given himself the chance to win he will be livid to miss the red he did in the middle needing just two or three more reds for victory. Thepchaiya plays safe though and Kleckers has just gotten back in and could now finally be about to cross the winning line.

Both players have now had further opportunities but Kleckers is back at the table again after making an excellent plant into the middle. Now he'll at least be looking to build a lead and some pressure on the shoulders of Thepchaiya again.

Frame 7 - The first chance of this decider has come to Kleckers and now would be a perfect tine to find his scoring boots. He cannot though as his positional play costs him again, covering the black on 14 and playing safe.

Frame Thepchaiya - Rather than play on the last red down the cushion, Kleckers tried to bring it off the cushion, did so but snookered himself. The escape left a pot for Thepchaiya who then completes a simple colour clearance to take us all the way now at 3-3.

How Thepchaiya has not won this frame in one visit there is beyond me. He misses the black though and leaves the whole table on for Kleckers. The question now is whether he can hold himself together. One of the remaining reds may be tricky but everything else just comes down to holding his nerve.

Frame 6 - First real good chance of this frame has come to Thepchaiya after a decent long pot and with the reds lining up like cherries ready for picking there is no reason why this match won't now go to a decider.

Frame Thepchaiya - Thepchaiya wins the battle on the green after Kleckers misses a thin cut on it from range and with the remaining colours nicely in the open, the Thai somehow manages to stay in the match. Kleckers will be kicking himself not to have finished this match off yet but he still can. 3-2 he leads now.

An in-off for Kleckers nearly cost him the frame. Thepchaiya pots a good red from distance but eventually lands too straight on the yellow on the baulk cushion, failing to get on the green. Kleckers is snookered though and there's very little between the scores now as the German falls to escape with his first two attempts.

Kleckers pots the next red and colour but fails to land on either of the two remaining reds on the bottom cushion but does get a snooker, earning a further seven points to advance his lead to 26 with just 43 remaining.

This time Kleckers misses with three reds left as he just could not gain ideal position. They're battling now on the final three reds with Kleckers ahead by 14.

Kleckers narrowly misses a black in the middle to end his first chance but he's now back in yet again after Thepchaiya misses another fairly straightforward red. The balls are all there for Kleckers but he too is struggling with his positional play. A good recovery on the green keeps him going and this is now a golden chance to win.

Frame 5 - Interesting start to the fifth frame. Thepchaiya goes in-off on a pack split from the blue but Kleckers then misses from the ball in hand at distance. That allows the Thai back in but his cue ball control has deserted him and he has just missed a tricky green, allowing Kleckers a chance to score.

Frame Kleckers - Thepchaiya is all over the place at the moment. Kleckers pots a good red and snookers Thepchaiya behind the black. His first attempt sees him come round and hit the black, Kleckers makes him play from where it finished and Un-Nooh misses his attempt to play a thin safety and Kleckers comfortably polishes off the frame. He's not doing anything fancy here but nor does he need to at the moment. 3-1 to Kleckers now.

Thepchaiya misses the black early and Kleckers gets his lead back to 42 but is still unable to clinch the frame. Eventually he has to be more clinical but for now he's getting away with it. Four reds left and Kleckers in control for now.

Kleckers misses his second chance on 28, 48 clear but with plenty left as he leaves Thepchaiya in. Now can the Thai knuckle down and finally punish his opponent?

Frame 4 - An in off from Un-Nooh leaves Kleckers a long red from the ball in hand. He gets it and now has the first scoring opportunity in the fourth frame. He misses the brown on 16 trying to split the pack open but only leaves a tough red to middle for Thepchaiya who misses again to allow Kleckers immediately back to the table.

Frame Kleckers - After missing a difficult red into the middle, Thepchaiya can only sit and watch as Kleckers clears the final three reds and by the time he fails to pot the blue the frame is well and truly over. Looks like he's the one in most control with Thepchaiya making quite a few errors. 2-1 now to Kleckers.

Kleckers breaks down with three reds remaining and after giving away some foul points he currently leads by 13 so there's not much in this frame at all, making this an important safety battle.

Kleckers runs out of position on 14 and misses a tough black to the middle. Thepchaiya pots a red from that leave but misses the black also trying to delicately roll it into the same pocket as Kleckers. That allowed the German back but he now misses a red to that same middle, only for Thepchaiya to do the same and Kleckers is back in once more.

Frame 3 - Thepchaiya has the first chance in frame three after a very average escape from Kleckers left an easy red for the Thai. He's struggling here though and misses another pink on 21. Another good opportunity now for Kleckers to punish him.

Frame Kleckers - Thepchaiya gains the next opportunity after a good cut red, but from the penultimate red he misses a tricky pink into the yellow pocket, leaving the final red easily on for Kleckers who goes on to clinch the frame. 1-1

Kleckers pots a good red from distance to get the next opportunity and pots a further three reds before needing to break into the final three reds on the bottom cushion. He cannot get another power into the split though and has to play safe leading by 42.

Kleckers makes 35 before missing the blue but apologises after his cannon to the reds leaves nothing on for Thepchaiya. Some much needed good fortune for Kleckers and the pair are now locked in an important safety battle.

Frame 2 - Thepchaiya is in first once again in frame two with reds widely spread but misses a pretty simple red on 14. That leaves Kleckers a half chance and he takes the opening red well, but finishes the wrong side of the blue, so plays a very solid brown to gain position on the next red. Plenty of work to do but this is a decent opportunity.

Frame Thepchaiya - The Thai pots a good red from distance and follows with the blue, edging him 35 ahead with 35 left before playing an excellent safety which snookers Kleckers. He escapes but leaves the red which is more than enough for Thepchaiya to leave the German youngster needing snookers, which he is unable to obtain. 1-0 Un-Nooh.

Thepchaiya fails to claim the frame after missing a red with the rest and a good red from Kleckers has now given him another chance to steal the frame. He misses the pink though and leaves the penultimate red for the Thai but he misses again and leaves it safe. 29 the lead for Thepchaiya with two reds left.

Thepchaiya gets to 56 but has to play safe after losing position. He does so in sloppy fashion allowing Kleckers straight in to try and eat at the deficit. The last few reds are bunched and need a bit of work and he misses a tester to the corner. Thepchaiya back in now and should close the frame out.

Frame 1 - Thepchaiya pots a great opening red in this frame and is straight in and scoring. He's taken all blacks with the reds so far and pots a great sixth red with the rest after landing slightly awkward. Great opportunity now.

One for the German fans this afternoon as Lukas Kleckers takes on Thepchaiya Un-Nooh.

Kleckers whitewashed Peter Ebdon in round one while Thepchaiya came through a decider against Ryan Day on the TV table.

Thepchaiya has already been to a Home Nations quarter-final in Belfast this season, while Kleckers needs wins to secure his tour place. He may be a way from doing that at the moment but as Duane Jones showed in Berlin one good week can change all that.

A clash of styles here so will be interesting to see how it goes.

LIVE BLOG: Tom Ford Vs Ashley Carty

Tom Ford 4-2 Ashley Carty - Ford did not kill the frame in one visit but it was not long after that before he left Carty needing snookers. Carty had his chances tonight for sure and Ford was not at his best, to the point that I feared for him early on tonight. It's a mark of his quality and experience that he still came through that one but he will definitely need to improve going forward in this event. Not the most memorable match but nevertheless it is a deserving victory in the end for Tom Ford.

Frame 6 - Carty misses a half chance at a plant early in the sixth and as a result he has left a golden first chance to Ford who must fancy his chances of clinching frame and match at this visit. He's certainly speeding around the table too sensing the final blow.

Frame Carty - Carty survives a small scare there by potting one of the two remaining reds which is enough to leave Ford needing snookers and after putting him in one, Ford misses and concedes the frame. Carty still hanging in there but Ford is still one away from the win at 3-2.

Carty finishes up with a lead of 44 but with still three reds left as he loses position and has to play safe. Plenty left as Ford now gets a chance to counter, but he fails to get on either of the last two reds.

Frame 5 - Another extremely scrappy start to a frame here. Both players have had half chances and the balls are all over the place here. Carty has the latest opportunity and it is not a bad one with the black open and a few open reds in that half of the table. Obviously a must win frame so has to seize upon openings like this.

Frame Ford - Without wanting to make an awful pun, that was speedy stuff from Ford. As soon as he got in you felt he had to take advantage of the opportunity in front of him and this time he did with a break of 82. Whether it has given him a bit more confidence remains to be seen as he still does not seem too happy, but he is one away from the winning line at 3-1.

Frame 4 - The chance Ford has here at the start of the fourth is one he would eat up for breakfast at his best. He has not quite been at that level tonight so far but this is an opportunity to make a really good break, win a frame in one visit and boost his confidence.

Frame Ford - Again there was very little to write home about in that frame. Ford still does not look comfortable out there and he needed three or four chances in the end but if Carty keeps providing them then it will not matter. Ford may be stuttering but he's still 2-1 in front.

At best this frame has gone quite scrappy. Ford is at the table but with the remaining reds on or near the bottom cushion there's work to do if he wins the frame here at this visit. As it is he's run out of position with three reds left but with a healthy 29 point cushion.

Frame 3 - Ford really is struggling badly now. He's missed another pretty simple red and gestures as if to say he's just not cueing straight at all. That will give Carty confidence especially as he is not having to work too hard for his chances. The key though now with reds open here again is that he takes full advantage.

Frame Carty - From that golden opportunity Carty made a solid break of 54, never looking like he was in trouble and he is looking like the better of the two in these opening stages. Ford briefly played on for snookers but he could not keep Carty out for long. 1-1

Frame 2 - Carty had the first little opening of the frame but lost position on 16. Ford though followed that with the worst shot I've seen this week by hitting the pack of reds so thick with his safety he did not reach the pink spot. Carty has to take advantage now with the reds spread as they are.

Frame Ford - In the end Ford pots the penultimate red to leave Carty needing a snooker. He plays on but never looks like getting the snooker. Very little to write home about in that frame. A scruffy start but Ford will be happy enough to lead 1-0.

Needing just the pink and one more red to clinch the frame, Ford inexplicably misses an easy pink and now Carty is back in to try and punish that mistake. The last two reds are not ideal though and he fails to gain position on either. Still life in this frame though.

Ford misses again on 24 leaving Carty in but when he goes into the reds from the blue on 7 the cue ball trickles into the corner pocket and Ford is now back in amongst them.

Frame 1 - A couple of early misses, first for Ford and then Carty has left Ford in now with a decent early chance. There are a few open reds in both halves of the table as he looks to lay down an early marker.

Final live blog of day two in Cardiff as Tom Ford takes on Ashley Carty.

Ford has been a UK Championship semi-finalist this season and as such qualified for last week's World Grand Prix where he beat Joe Perry 4-3 before losing out to eventual champion Judd Trump. He will certainly be a favourite here tonight and is always a dark horse for a big tournament run, like what he achieved in York.

Carty meanwhile was one of my players to watch this season, so I thought I would take that in a literal sense tonight. It's the young man's first year on tour but he has reached the last 32 at this venue before, doing so as an amateur a few years ago. He'll be hoping for some more of that form here and he will need to be at his best in this one I feel.

LIVE BLOG: Gary Wilson Vs Robin Hull

Gary Wilson 4-0 Robin Hull - Hull may have potted yellow and then fluked the green but he missed the brown which Wilson potted before playing a good safety on the blue. Hull could not match it and left an easy blue and pink combination for Wilson to finally clinch victory. Fair to say that after a strong start from Wilson that miss in the third on frame ball black turned things very scruffy in the last frame and a half. Hull could not hide his frustration because he knows he can do so much better than that, while Wilson should take the positives from the first two and a half frames into a possible meeting with Neil Robertson in the next round.

Hull does not take that opportunity but Wilson then misses two attempts at the penultimate red and Hull has now potted it. The last red is on the side cushion though and despite doubling it to the middle he does not land nicely on the black so he lays a snooker, trailing by four with the colours left.

Wilson has now had two match winning chances in quick succession but snookering himself on a red in the first and a missed black on the second mean Hull is somehow still in this match and a long pot has now given him a chance.

Hull really wasn't a happy man as he took six attempts to get out of the snooker, punching the table after attempt four. He does however get a chance at a red to middle, missing and letting Wilson in but he fouls the black to hand the opening over to Hull now. The Finn makes 14 before missing a thin red and this could now be Wilson's time to get the match won.

Frame 4 - Hull gets the first chance in frame four but only makes 13 before failing to land on the black and playing safe. Wilson then pots a red from distance and lands on the pink in the baulk end to give himself an opportunity but he fails to get on a second colour and snookers Hull behind the brown.

Frame Wilson - Hull cleared the remaining reds but then played a good snooker on the yellow. After potting yellow and green in separate visits Hull then had a great chance as Wilson played a poor safety on the brown. It came down to the black but he left it awkward and played safe. Wilson missed an attempt just but then left one for Hull with a poor safety. The mid range effort was very poor though and Wilson was left an easy black to go 3-0 up.

An unexpected miss on frame ball black by Wilson has kept this frame alive. Hull pots a decent red and then a very nice cut on his second red to give him a chance to counter. Could be a big moment in this contest.

Wilson missed again soon after but left nothing. He's dominated the safety play as well which means Hull has barely had a look in all afternoon. Wilson now in a very strong position to go one away from victory.

Frame 3 - Wilson was in first once again but missed on 6, only to fluke a snooker which would see Hull immediately present him with a second chance. One way traffic here so far and no sign of a let up from Wilson.

Frame Wilson - This match has barely been going for 25 minutes but Wilson has moved 2-0 ahead. It's one chance snooker at the moment and everything is falling perfectly for him. Every cannon landed nicely and he never looked like missing until the frame was over. A run of 83 gives Hull the chance to pot a few balls but it will be 2-0.

Frame 2 - Another missed long pot for Hull leaves the first chance again for Wilson and after the last frame it may be the only shot Hull has in this second frame. Wilson looking very sharp here early on.

Frame Wilson - One mistake was all Hull was going to be able to make in the opening frame. A couple of balls have wobbled in for Wilson but otherwise it's been solid work and a very nice exhibition of break building. An opening frame break of 96, missing the black for a century gives Wilson a 1-0 lead.

Frame 1 - The first chance of the match falls to Wilson after a missed long pot for Hull leaves a red to the middle. A decent first opening for Wilson but still plenty of work to do in these early stages.

Time for my second full live blog of the day as last year's semi-finalist and recent interviewee of mine Gary Wilson faces Finland's Finest Robin Hull.

Wilson most recently featured in the Grand Prix losing in round one to Mark Allen while this for Robin Hull will be his first competitive match of 2019. Hull needs wins to save his tour place of course making this a big match for him.

Wilson though has reached a quarter-final and semi-final in four years at this venue, though Hull reached the last 32 in his last appearance here in 2017 aided by a win over Ding Junhui.

This should be a good match up and their last meeting ended 4-3 so maybe it could be a similar story today.

LIVE UPDATES: Michael Holt Vs Mei Xiwen

This live updates section has now ended with Hull and Wilson about to start on table 7. Further updates on this match will be tweeted out @CueActionBlog

Frame Mei - A poor safety in the end costs Holt as he allows Mei back in to clear three of the four remaining reds which is more than enough to secure a 2-1 advantage.

After snookering himself behind the blue on his first chance, Holt forges a second after a good long red but misses the green to allow Mei back to the table but he's now snookered himself, but still leads by 26 with four reds left.

Frame 3 - First chance again to Mei in frame three but he misses the black on 31 as he goes into the reds. Nothing easy left for Holt but he makes a nice cut into the corner and lands on the green. Good chance now with plenty of reds open.

Frame Mei - The Chinese player controlled the second frame despite needing four or five chances to put it on the board. Solid safety shut Holt out and a rather old school frame goes the way of Mei to level it up at 1-1.

Frame 2 - First chance this time for Mei as he looks to level the match up. Working off the pink for now with the black near the cushion. The reds were not lining up nicely though and he ultimately loses position on 27.

Frame Holt - After various chances for both players frame one came down to the black. Mei had already missed the final red for a great chance to clear, Holt was then unlucky with a free ball there, but Mei looked like taking the frame after a long battle on the yellow went in his favour. He missed frame ball pink though playing it harder than he really needed to into the middle but knocking the black safe in the process. The frame would hinge on that final black with a poor safety from Mei giving Holt a good chance at a cut from close range which he takes to lead 1-0.

Holt's first contribution ends on 32 after missing a tough red in the middle but he's back at the table now after a lovely long red. Definitely a frame winning chance now.

Mei's break ends on 36 and after Holt misses one to the middle clipping it too thin, Mei misses a mid range pot and now Holt is at the table nicely eating into Mei's early advantage.

Frame 1 - Mei in first here after a cracking pot to get the first chance and he looks solid early on but needs to get the reds open in the next two or three shots.

Going to start the afternoon with some live updates of Michael Holt against Mei Xiwen. Hoping to get all the way through this game before the main match I'll do this afternoon which is Robin Hull and Gary Wilson in the 2pm session.

The winner of this one will face Mark Allen in the last 64 and it will be the first tour match of the year for both guys so it will be interesting to see how they go.

LIVE BLOG: Gerard Greene Vs James Cahill

James Cahill 4-2 Gerard Greene - Cahill's initial break came to an end as he wobbled the final red leading by 34 with 35 left. He'd already played an exceptional recovery shot on the black previously to come all around the table and finish nicely on the penultimate red. The red was not quite as close to the pocket as it looked because Greene missed, but did not leave it on. Some good tactical play from Greene followed but he was unable to pounce when Cahill left the red from distance and Cahill then potted it from long range instead to complete victory. A pretty good performance all around from Cahill. He was aggressive and did not back down or go into his shell at any point. His long potting was good all morning and probably the best asset of his game today. A well deserved win for the young man.

An opening has come now for Cahill as he looks to get this match won without the need for a decider. There are plenty of open reds to play for with all colours in play so this is a magnificent chance. He may need the red on the left side cushion but the rest of the reds should be negotiated comfortably.

Frame 6 - A sloppy safety from Cahill gave Greene an early opening in this sixth frame which the Northern Irishman has to win, but his failure to break the reds open brings the break to an early end. An unfortunate safety though from Cahill to pot the black and cover all the reds means Greene is back in with a free ball. He has another go at breaking the bunch, making contact this time but he finishes on nothing and plays safe.

Frame Cahill - Greene misses the colour after the free ball black, but unfortunately for him he gets position on the final red. Cahill pots it and with the colours out in the open he clears to take a vital frame and move ahead now at 3-2.

Cahill gets the next chance on the final four reds after another good long red. His play from distance today has been really good so far. He only adds 9 though before missing a black trying to go around the houses for the next red. Nothing left though and still nothing in the frame with two reds remaining. Another good long pot on the penultimate red keeps him in control of the frame just, but he snookers himself on the final red. He fouls and leaves a free ball with the black on for Greene.

Frame 5 - After an early missed green from Cahill, Greene was left nicely in but only made 31 from it before losing position on a color and having to play safe. Now though, Cahill is back in after a stunning long red, though looked to have just missed in the middle only to fluke the red. A couple of safe reds need developing though if he wins the frame at this visit.

Frame Cahill - After bringing the reds on the bottom cushion into play Cahill looked comfortable in adding a further break of 42 which was enough to leave Greene needing multiple snookers which he would not obtain. Back to all square here on table 8 at 2-2.

Cahill will have been annoyed to lose pink ball position as early in his initial break as 20, but a miss from Greene in the middle soon after has allowed Cahill back in, though with reds nearer the bottom cushion this opening needs a bit more work.

Frame 4 - Greene opens the reds this time with an aggressive safety. Every frame so far has been similar in that sense with the reds spread well from the safety exchanges. Cahill is in first this time after a long red and he will hope to benefit from Greene's aggressive play. A lovely opening for him here.

Frame Greene - Well Greene wasted no time there. Speeding round the table which just shows how comfortable he is looking this morning and he has wrapped that frame up in under ten minutes. A very nice run of 71, just missing the last red for the chance of a century but nevertheless it's 2-1 to Greene.

Frame 3 - After a couple of early chances each, Cahill looks to fluke a red from an aggressive safety unless he spotted some sort of plant that I did not. He does not land nicely on a color though but is forced into the brown in the middle by two other reds that are over the left corner. He misses and now Greene is quickly heading to the winning line in this frame.

Frame Greene - Greene did not kill the frame in one visit missing a red on the stretch and leaving a half chance for Cahill. He though missed the green with the rest and allowed Greene back to add a further 13 to his earlier run of 44 and level this match at 1-1.

Frame 2 - An aggressive safety from Cahill could come back to haunt him here. He opens the pack up wide but leaves a red on for Greene who then lays a snooker. Cahill's hit and hope then leaves a golden chance for Greene though the black being on the side cushion makes this slightly more awkward than Cahill's in frame one.

Frame Cahill - Once that chance came you never expected Cahill to miss and in all he looked comfortable. He might be a little disappointed not to make more than 51 but Greene's attempt to play on for a snooker lasted merely one shot before Cahill potted a further red. A solid start for Cahill and he leads 1-0.

Frame 1 - After an early chance that amounted to just 11 before he lost position, Cahill is back in now after an excellent long pot. The reds are spread wide open making this a great early chance for Cahill now, just what you want in the opening frame.

First live blog of the day comes from the match between Gerard Greene and James Cahill.

The interesting element to this match is a battle for tour places. Greene presently is outside of the top 64 and not inside the top 8 on the one season list not already qualified for next season to get a new two year tour card. A win here would put him within touching distance on the latter.

As for James Cahill, he may be competing here as a Q School top up player as he has been all season but he is actually ahead of Greene on the one-year list coming into this match. So much so that victory here would temporarily put him inside that aforementioned top 8 not already qualified for next season.

Cahill of course has beaten Mark Selby this season in the UK Championship, a massive victory, as well as defeating Liang Wenbo out in China. Interestingly, the winner of this will play Shaun Murphy in the last 64 and Greene thrashed Murphy 4-0 in the last 128 in Cardiff 12 months ago.

There could be a bit of tension in this contest, especially if it goes as close as I expect it to.