LIVE BLOG: Mark Allen vs Gary Wilson

Gary Wilson 4-3 Mark Allen - An amazing chance it was and Wilson held his nerve as well as he had done throughout the entire match. A fine clearance of 79 is the difference in this match and puts Gary Wilson into the last 16. Mark Allen can reflect on some bad fortune earlier in the decider, that prevented him winning the match in one visit but credit must go to Wilson for the clearance. An excellent match and great entertainment from both players.

Wilson on the way to the match winning clearance. 

It's all gone a bit wrong for Mark Allen here. His break ends on 54 as he goes in the reds from a red and snookers himself on all colours. The second failed escape leaves Wilson on a break and with plenty of reds open this is an amazing chance to steal the frame and match.

Deciding Frame - Allen is straight in in the decider with a good confident long pot, playing around for the black. He now has a few reds open but will need to tackle the bunch again to make this a match winning break.

Frame Wilson - Another quick frame as Wilson makes his best effort of the match. It's been a mixed bag from him today but when he needed to he's knuckled down and forced the decider with a fine run of 74. 

Frame 6 - Wilson has had a couple of early half chances in this frame but wasn't able to fully develop them into full chances adding to his frustrations. He has a third chance now though and given his early lead he should convert here and forced the deciding frame.

Frame Allen - On this occasion one chance is Allen is going to need. A break of 69 in no time at all is much more like the Allen we're used to watching and at a crucial point two. He now only needs one more frame for victory. 3-2 Allen.

Allen looked in decent form in a tough clash with Wilson

Frame 5 - Another Wilson mistake brings about a scoring opportunity for Allen at the start of frame five. He's working hard here and starting to build a decent lead as he aims to go one ahead with two to play.

Frame Wilson - A really important moment there for Wilson as he manages to get back level. A fine pot on the last red opens up a golden chance with all the colours in open play and this time he finally makes it count. 2-2 here now on table 4.

Allen has now potentially missed the boat. A miss when leading by 50 allows Wilson to forget everything that happened earlier. He gets to 43 before missing the blue and is now snookered by Allen on the final red.

Frame 4 - Wilson knows he's missed the boat here, a bad safety shot lets Allen right in in the fourth and Wilson kicks out at his seat area in frustration. Allen meanwhile is moving through the gears and looking to kick his opponent while he's down.

Frame Allen - Wilson will not be happy about the missed opportunities in that frame. He's really let Allen off the hook here and you feel the fourth frame will be vital now. The Northern Irish man has hit the front at 2-1.

Allen races to 56 and looks confident until missing a testing red along the cushion and leaving it for Wilson. Again though he cannot take advantage and Allen is soon back at the table looking to finish the frame off.

Wilson gets a second chance but again cannot make anything notable before missing and this time leaving Allen in. With the pink available and reds spread the chances of Wilson getting a third chance are low.

Frame 3 - A slow start to frame three taking nine minutes before the first red falls. Wilson is the man in and looking to make up for missing the crucial yellow in the last. However a miss on a red by the corner from mid distance ends the break abruptly on 11.

Frame Allen - In the end it is the yellow that proves the crucial ball. Wilson sails to that point but misses an opportunity to bring it away from the cushion. Playing it down the cushion with rest and extension he misses and sticks it for Allen who happily clears to level at 1-1.

Wilson looked good in frame two but the yellow on the right hand side proved the vital ball. 

Allen breaks down on 47 losing position and putting the yellow safe. Two shots later though a missed cut from range for Allen leaves Wilson a chance to counter and the aforementioned yellow may be the only issue for Wilson.

Frame 2 - Allen's first opportunity of the match comes in frame two after a plant gets him in and a good brown to middle follows it. It's the kind of chance that Allen has been making the most of all season so there's no reason why that doesn't continue here.

Frame Wilson - Following the earlier 45, Wilson adds a further 50 and does more than enough to shut Allen out of this first frame. The perfect opener for Wilson as he looks to send another top seed packing.

Wilson breaks down on 45 after losing position on a colour, he has a second opportunity now though after laying a snooker with all reds in the middle of the table and Allen is unable to leave everything safe from his escape. Should be Wilsons frame.

Frame 1 - First chance of the match falls to Gary Wilson who cuts in a red from distance with the cue ball just finishing on the brown. A shot on the pink to middle in turn opens up a number of reds from the bunch and making this an early opportunity to make his mark on the match.

This afternoon it's all about the Masters champion Mark Allen on table four against Gary Wilson who is a former Welsh Open quarter finalist. Allen has started the week with wins against Cao Yupeng and Soheil Vahedi, while for Wilson he's seen off Sam Baird and Daniel Wells to make this stage.

Expect a heavy scoring clash between these two and an entertaining one.

LIVE BLOG: Liam Highfield vs Chris Wakelin

Liam Highfield 4-1 Chris Wakelin - Being so close already, one more chance and pots on red and pink are all Highfield needed to leave Wakelin requiring a snooker with three reds left. That battle did not last long before the handshake though and Highfield is into the last 16 tonight. He looked the most likely winner throughout the morning and was fairly dominant. Fancy his chances again this evening against either Akani or Burns after a good win.

A run of 50 from Highfield comes up just short of a the mark. His position on match ball red was out by an inch and means he has to play safe but in a very strong position as he looks to get over the line without any drama.

Frame 5 - After a bit of a slow start to the frame Highfield is now in with the best opportunity so far. It is by no means a clear cut match winning chance with a few reds in need of development but at the very least he can build a good lead here and pile the pressure on to Wakelin.

Frame Highfield - Wakelin has a good go for the second snooker but cannot put Highfield in enough trouble. Eventually Highfield doubles the red, though I'm not sure it was entirely intentional, but he'll take it. One away from the last 16 now. 3-1 Highfield.

Highfield gets a second chance rolling in a lovely long red and potting a couple more great balls soon after just to show how well he's cueing. By the time the break ends Wakelin needs two snookers, but Highfield is not happy about losing position after being put off by something in the crowd. Wakelin has the first snooker but still needs one more if he's to win this frame.

Frame 4 - First opening in this frame again goes to Highfield and he's looked solid so far. He split the reds perfectly from the green with the break in the twenties, and despite not landing ideal, knocked an excellent plant in to keep things alive. He can't quite keep hold of good position though and plays safe on 40, pushing the blue to the cushion.

Frame Highfield - Not too many more pots were needed to give Highfield the frame. It was a rather comfortable one for him in the end and he certainly looks the better of the two in scoring among the reds this morning. 2-1 Highfield

Highfield misses an easy enough pink just a few pots really from winning the frame. That allows Wakelin in but he cannot take full advantage and now Highfield should be able to move back in front.

Frame 3 - Highfield had the first chance here after a sloppy safety shot from Wakelin. He didn't make much from it but did lay a snooker which yields 22 points before Wakelin finally contacts a red. Highfield then knocks a red into the middle and is back among them again.

Frame Wakelin - Wakelin always had the slight advantage there on the safety but needed a few chances still to kill it off. Eventually though Highfield leaves the final red on and Wakelin is able to do enough to leave Highfield needing snookers. Not a memorable frame but still important. 1-1

Both players have now again had half chances but neither could bring the reds into play. Five remain and it's Wakelin that has a narrow seven point advantage. Highfield gets a second go at it, making contact but the reds just don't want to spread for either player.

Could be a real scrappy frame now. All of the reds have been pushed towards the bottom cushion and there's still eight of them left. Unless one of them opens them up it could be a cagey frame from here.

Frame 2 - An even start so far in the second frame. Both players have had half chances but have failed to convert them into anything substantial. Into a safety battle which is also pretty even at press.

Frame Highfield - Wakelin clears down to the final red and lays a couple of decent snookers on it. Highfield though escapes well on each occasion and then when he's given the first look at potting it, he does and is able to kill the frame off. Good start for Highfield. 1-0

Good stuff there from Highfield. A particularly good shot on the pink on 49 allowed him to keep the break going and despite a missed pink to middle on 63 Wakelin needs snookers.

Frame 1 - Nice start for Highfield as he crunches a long red in and gets straight into the reds from the blue. However, he has had to work hard early in the break to get ideal position but now he has this is a really good opening.

It's snowing heavily in Cardiff but unlike many places, the show goes on here at the Motorpoint Arena. My first live blog of the day sees Liam Highfield taking on Chris Wakelin. I've been wanting to see Highfield all week so looking forward to this. He had a walkover in round one but then yesterday he walked all over former champion Ding Junhui winning 4-1.

Chris Wakelin meanwhile overcame in form Xiao Guodong in round one before beating Andrew Higginson yesterday. With the winner playing Ian Burns or Akani Songsermsawad in the last 16 there's a big chance for someone lower down in the rankings in this section to have a good run.

LIVE BLOG: John Higgins vs Stephen Maguire

John Higgins 4-1 Stephen Maguire - A solid performance from Higgins tonight. Maguire gave him too many chances in some of the frames tonight, but there were also periods of Higgins brilliance such as the 136 in the fourth and the 64 in the second. Bit of a blow for Maguire after good recent form but with top players choosing not to play, it would not surprise me if he went to Gibraltar and took home the trophy.

Frame 5 - It's been a slightly more scrappy start to frame five with Maguire having a few half chances and missing a couple. His demeanour does not suggest signs of a fightback either. Higgins is in now but cannot make the most of his opening. He's quickly back in though after cutting a red in from distance. Another chance to close out the win.

Frame Higgins - When I said I thought Higgins would surge ahead here I was not saying it lightly. A trademark Higgins break from start to finish and it all culminates in a 136 total clearance. There seems to be something about Wales that gets him going. 3-1 Higgins.

Frame 4 - Rather naively earlier on Twitter I commented that I thought Maguire would win tonight. He may still do but Higgins is in control right now. A miss from Maguire on a tricky mid distance red allows Higgins in first in frame four, and this is the point in the match where Higgins will look to really surge ahead. He's into the reds on 33 and now has the balls set nicely for a frame winning contribution.

Frame Higgins - Higgins leads by 37 with 43 left on when a cannon on one of the final two reds pushes it to the cushion. He misses it playing with safety in mind and actually gets a snooker in the process. Maguire misses twice and therefore needs snookers himself. Maguire gets a snooker but shortly after Higgins pots a good red from mid distance which keeps Maguire in his seat. 2-1 Higgins.

Frame 3 - Been a few errors at the start of this frame with both players having chances and missing when they're in. Higgins though is the man at the table now and looks good again to get his second frame on the board.

Frame Higgins - A very entertaining start to this game. As expected Higgins took his second opportunity and a comfortable contribution of 64 was more than enough to level the match up in the early stages. 1-1

Frame 2 - First chance fell to Higgins in the second frame but a missed black on 16 soon has Maguire back to the table. There was a red close to the corner but another blocking it's path, but Maguire's attempted plant ends up not being that close. Higgins then is straight back in and uses the black over the corner as security to get the reds open from the one over the pocket. Should level the scores now.

Frame Maguire - A fluke on the third to last red for Maguire keeps Higgins firmly in his seat. A good start for the man who needs wins to get to the Crucible automatically. 1-0 Maguire

An excellent long pot and handy nudge from the middle pocket jaw gets Maguire back in scoring once again. The three reds on the bottom cushion looked awkward, but the furthest left was potable, and a delicate black down the cushion to follow should see Maguire clinch frame one.

Frame 1 - An early chance for Higgins breaks down early after a missed red with the rest and extensions. That's left Maguire in and with reds well placed he'll be looking to continue his good recent form and capture the opening frame. Surprisingly though he's run out of position on 23 and been forced to play safe.

Some questionable TV scheduling means that the best match of the entire round in my opinion on paper is going out on table 4. Last week's Grand Prix semi finalist and 2013 champion Stephen Maguire meets multiple Welsh Open winners John Higgins. This all Scottish clash has just got underway.

LIVE BLOG: Lu Haotian vs Jack Lisowski, Kyren Wilson vs Rory McLeod and Yan Bingtao vs Kurt Dunham

Yan Bingtao 4-2 Kurt Dunham - From the chance previously mentioned Yan does indeed close the door on Dunham tonight. A break of 64 to the pink is more than enough to secure victory and set up a last 32 meeting with Peter Ebdon. Both players played their part in that though and I hope Dunham can show some more of that in the remainder of the season or at least try to get back on tour for next year via Q School. On the night Yan continues to show his strength though and wins 4-2. 

Yan Bingtao completing a tough 4-2 win over Dunham.

Jack Lisowski 4-2 Lu Haotian - Once more the scoring supremo that is Jack Lisowski only needs one chance to shut the door on Lu. A fine clearance of 104 completes another fine win against a good opponent. It could be another good week for the left hander here in Cardiff. Table 8 now is the focus and particularly Kurt Dunham. The Australian is in the balls but misses on 27, after a great shot from his first colour (the yellow) to get the bunch open. Yan now will be looking to close the door on this like Lisowski did on Lu.

Lisowski on the way to his second century of the night and a 4-2 win over Lu.

Yan raises his game - Having to sit and watch in the last frame as Dunham cleared up, Yan knew he needed to up his game and play well to win this. First chance he gets in frame five and he seizes control of the contest again. A break of 92 makes it 3-2 there. On table 6, Lu was in first but potted a red splitting the bunch from the blue and now Lisowski has a nice opening to get this match finished.

Haotian stays in it - Some good potting from Lu Haotian on the final colours in frame five has kept him in the hunt against Lisowski who had some half chances there to kill the match off. On table 8, Yan Bingtao is in first and after a good split of the reds he has the balls at his mercy and should move 3-2 in front.

A new Dunham - You have to ask yourself where this Kurt Dunham has been for the last year and a half. All of a sudden he looks like a different player and has just produced a very nice, well controlled clearance of 86 to draw level at 2-2 with Yan Bingtao and he looks much more comfortable. Lisowski meanwhile now has a chance to finish off Lu.

Australian Dunham looks like a different player on the way to levelling his match with Yan Bingtao

Lu Haotian hanging on - Lu isn't going anywhere just yet. He's got the first good chance in frame five with Lisowski and will be looking to make it count. He cannot however and breaks down on 35 but leaves everything safe. Lots of balls on cushions so could be a scrappy end to that frame. Dunham meanwhile is in the early stages of a break against Yan in frame four and there's work to do if he wants to level the match at this visit.

Lisowski and Yan out in front - Now that the Kyren Wilson show has finished it's time to focus back more on the other two matches. Another speedy and well controlled break of 91 puts Lisowski one away at 3-1 against Lu while Yan controls the third to edge ahead 2-1 against Dunham.

Kyren Wilson 4-0 Rory McLeod - McLeod can feel a little hard done by there but only because he didn't really have a clear cut chance in the whole match. Wilson finishes up with another excellent break of 136 completing a pretty much perfect evening and if he stays any where near this standard he'll be here at the weekend. Performance of the week so far from the outside tables.

Wilson sizes up frame and match ball on the way to a match clinching century. 

Wilson nearing the winning line - Kyren Wilson take a bow. This has been a truly superb example of taking a game by the scruff of the neck and not giving your opponent any way in. Another great long red gets him going and he provides a textbook pack splitting demonstration. Now with the break in the sixties he looks set for a 4-0 win.

Wilson gets in early in frame four and looks to whitewash Rory McLeod

Wilson continues fine scoring - After the long red and frame winning chance I mentioned previously, Wilson again just moved through the gears and looks absolutely faultless tonight. This time the break is 85 and he is already a frame away from round three. Dunham meanwhile did indeed level, and Lu won the battle on the final red to stay in things with Lisowski but still trailing 2-1.

Dunham looking to level - With a couple of quite superb shots Dunham has taken a scrappy table in his second frame with Yan and grabbed it by the scruff of the neck. First he pots a red and splits all the others and then powers a black into the green pocket to keep it going. Now it's a great chance for 1-1. Lu meanwhile broke down on 57 and he and Lisowski are locked in an important battle on the final red. Wilson continues to squeeze the life out of McLeod, powering a long red in and he has another excellent frame winning opening.

Super confident Lisowski - I'd barely finished the last update when Lisowski pumped in another long red and got going again. This time he got to 41 before losing control of the cue ball and going fir an outrageous red in the middle. Haotian is in now and needs to pounce having opened all the reds up.

Lisowski goes 2-0 up on Lu Haotian with a run of 114. 

1 minute, 2 tons - Centuries on tables 6 and 7 here in quick succession. First Lisowski who clears up in sublime fashion with a 114 putting him 2-0 up and almost adding double punishment for Lu's crucial first frame miss. Then Wilson, who plays a nice double on the final red to make it all possible clears the black for a straight 100 and leads McLeod 2-0. Both players are looking comfortable and confident tonight.

Lisowski, Wilson and Yan march on - Lisowski is flying again early in frame two, his speedy style is incredibly difficult to blog live because you need to be about three steps ahead to keep up. However, in the blink of an eye he looks like doubling his lead as his heavy scoring continues. Wilson is also in on table 7 and looking set to double his lead with all remaining reds open, and Yan is back in in the early stages of his second frame. Though things are less straightforward for him but he's knocked in a good blue to keep things going.

1-0 to Wilson, Yan and Lisowski - When Lu misses the yellow on table 6 Lisowski gets the upper hand on the safety and eventually forges the chance to clear and does so comfortably to win the opener. Wilson was always in control of the first frame and if that first frame is a marker he could have a comfortable evening. Yan meanwhile was let in by a Dunham safety error and made 57 to leave the Australian needing snookers on the colours.

Chances go begging - Lisowski misses a straightforward black and Lu is in now hoping to steal that opening frame, Wilson meanwhile missed a tough one on 48 but left nothing. Dunham missed a red to middle on 34 but Yan misses the black on just 9 to let him off. Nervy start all around.

Here comes Jack - First good chance of the night goes to Lisowski on table 6. He's wasting no time at all and is into the thirties on his break already. Kurt Dunham is in first on table 6 and Wilson is in on table 7 after a bad miss on the blue from McLeod

Going for a mixture of three matches tonight. Each set to be a good watch. On table 6 we have Jack Lisowski vs Lu Haotian. Jack was a 4-3 winner yesterday against Mark Joyce while Lu overcame Paul Davison 4-2. Both have had good seasons and been ranking event semi finalists.

Then on table 7 it's the Masters runner up Kyren Wilson, who was excellent in beating Robert Milkins yesterday, taking on Rory McLeod who beat Adam Duffy 4-2. Looking forward to seeing how Wilson plays there.

Finally on table 8 we have Northern Ireland Open Runner-up Yan Bingtao, who overturned a 3-1 deficit on Monday to beat Jimmy White, and he takes on Australian Kurt Dunham who scored the best win of his career beating Ryan Day 4-2 on Monday on the TV table, finishing with a ton.

It's going to be a Soccer Saturday style blog dipping in to action from all three tables so stick with me and enjoy.

LIVE BLOG: Ricky Walden vs Martin Gould

Martin Gould 4-3 Ricky Walden - An absolutely superb deciding frame break there for Martin Gould. Never looked in any trouble or under any pressure keeping good cue ball control throughout. A finishing contribution of 93 was made in a similar way to the earlier 141 and you have to say he was the better player on the day. If he can keep up that scoring level then he will go far this week having beaten Ricky Walden and Michael White to reach the last 32.

Deciding Frame - With a Walden safety shot leaving a red over the corner for Gould, it's he who has the first chance in decider. The black is in open play and plenty of reds are too so this is already a fantastic chance.

Frame Walden - Once again Walden will be somewhat relieved to be taking this to a decider. Gould battled hard for snookers and at one point he was able to tie the frame but in the end, Walden pots the yellow and Gould was unable to make further inroads. 3-3 here on table 4.

Walden misses a simple enough pink on 44 but it goes pretty much unpunished as Gould only makes 13 before a miss of his own. That allows Walden back and he leaves Gould needing snookers before wobbling the penultimate red. Could be a similar battle to frame four ahead now.

Frame 6 - This match has been very even throughout and that remains the case here. Walden is currently amongst the balls with the best chance of the frame so far. Plenty of reds to play for and colours nice so no reason why this cannot go all the way to a deciding frame.

Frame Gould - What a fine break by Gould. He opened up the balls as and when needed, played a very good plant once the frame was over and the end result is a magnificent 141 break that puts him one away from victory. Exemplary break building. 3-2 Gould

Frame 5 - A long fourth frame does not look to have impacted on Martin Gould. Given an easy starter he is still in and going nicely but will soon need to open up the bunch if he's to take this break any further.

Frame Walden - Relief for Ricky who looked home and dry at one stage in this frame long before it was over. Eventually, he's left an easy yellow and green but still has to endure a shorter battle for snookers on the brown before rolling it home. 2-2 on table 4.

After plenty of energy invested, Gould has gotten the rewards of perseverance. After extracting three misses from Walden he can now win this fourth frame that has gone past the 45 minute mark.

Walden turned the screw from there and despite a couple of half chances for Gould he has left him needing snookers on the final red. Gould hasn't given up though and has been playing on for a while now though is yet to make any headway.

Walden does well to get to 54 but misses a simple enough pink and leaves a half chance for Gould. He only makes 6 though before taking on a tricky red and leaving it in the jaws for Walden who has now built a lead of 56 with just 59 left on, before playing safe.

Frame 4 - After a long safety battle to start this frame Walden is now and has opened things up nicely, giving himself an opportunity to build up a healthy advantage.

Frame Gould - Gould mops up the reds in the middle of the table with no issues making a break of 59 to leave Walden needing a few snookers with two reds left. As much as anything Walden may be playing on to make sure his tip is OK after inspecting it throughout the Gould contribution. 2-1 Gould.

Just as I publish the last update Walden tries a deep screw on the blue on just 8 but mis cues and chips the cue ball straight off the table. That leaves Gould in with the chance that in many ways he'd opened up earlier.

Frame 3 - Walden potted the first red of the frame but missed the blue straight after leaving Gould a chance at a thin red. He misses too though, and in the process spreads the pack of reds everywhere and leaving an absolutely golden chance for Walden.

Frame Walden - Always enjoyable watching Walden build breaks in and around the pink and black, on this occasion he works mainly from the pink and takes full advantage of the earlier let off with a run of 53 to level the contest at 1-1.

Walden gets to 16 before running out of position and taking on a tricky red to the yellow pocket and leaving the same red for Gould but he misses a blue early in the break to let Walden off the hook.

Frame 2 - Gould pots a red after Waldens break off leaves one from distance. However, he takes on a very tough yellow, misses and lets Walden straight in. He's quickly into the reds and this looks a decent opening.

Frame 1 - Martin Gould - After a scrappy start to the frame, the best chance falls to Gould and he puts together a nice break to take the lead. 1-0 Gould

One of the highlight matches of the day coming up next on table 4 as Martin Gould takes on Ricky Walden. Gould overcame Michael White in the first round so won't be too popular with the Welsh fans, while Walden had a comfortable win over Li Yuan. Two players chasing a top 16 return so this should be a tight match.

LIVE BLOG: Michael Holt Vs James Wattana

James Wattana 4-2 Michael Holt - In the end Wattana just kept turning the screw and putting Holt in trouble on the final red. Eventually he gets a snooker that Holt could not escape from at the first attempt and leaving the red that was all the Thai needed for victory. Caught up with Holt on the way to the players lounge, said it was the best he'd hit the ball for a while but was full of credit for his opponent.

A nice contribution there from Wattana nudging the safe reds out and when he plays safe he forces an in off from Holt. Although, from that he misses an easy red to the middle. Holt then makes a cool long pot on the penultimate red but doesn't finish nice on a colour, but lays a snooker behind the green. Wattana gets out of it and leaves the red safe.

This has become a bit of an awkward frame with the safety pushing reds to the bottom cushion. Holt is in again now and looking to build a good lead before tackling those safe reds but he misses a simple enough one and goes back to his chair disappointed. Chance for Wattana now.

Frame 6 - For fear of sounding like a broken record Holt is in first again in this frame. This time a brilliant long red gets him in but he loses position and plays safe on 19.

Frame Wattana - Holt managed to get Wattana requiring a snooker but could not kill the frame off. The Thai then got his snooker and won the safety battle on the final red but could only pot red and black. However, an in off from Holt left the yellow on from range and Wattana knocked it in, clearing the colours with a particularly good shot on the pink and it is he that takes the 3-2 lead.

Wattana rolls a fantastic red in from distance to give himself the chance to reduce his deficit in this frame but is still ten adrift when he misses a fairly simple black and lets Holt back in. Cracking chance now for Holt to turn this game right around.

Frame 5 - Holt is starting to look the more confident of the two now after the breaks of the last two frames. He's in first yet again in frame five and is into the reds nicely before potting a great pink into the middle to keep the break going. This is now another excellent frame winning opportunity. However, he runs out of position following a second cannon to the cluster and then calls a foul on himself for falling short as he rolled up to the green. Break ended at 37.

Frame Holt - It was a long old battle for snookers on the colours there for Wattana. He initially had the one he required but then Holt got a snooker back and after plenty of play on the brown - Holt knocks it in confidently and squares the match at 2-2.

Holt went about his business quickly and confidently there. A run of 75 is enough to leave James Wattana requiring a snooker in this fourth frame. The Thai clears four of the five remaining reds and needs a snooker to tie.

Frame 4 - There's a bit more of a spring in Holt's step now after that break in the last. Once more he's earned the first opportunity of the frame and will be looking to build on his efforts from frame three.

Frame Holt - Much better from Holt there. Really knuckled down there and made the most of that opening. Made it look easy which it wasn't given his frame deficit. He misses the black for the century clearance but a run of 98 is more than enough for him to get his first frame on the board. 2-1 Wattana

Holt plays an excellent safety and gets Wattana snookered well behind the brown. From it Wattana misses three times and from the third miss leaves something for Holt who is now with an opportunity he has to take at this stage.

Frame 3 - Not happening for Holt so far. The Hitman misses a long attempt at the start of frame three and leaves Wattana in. The Thai makes 27 before missing with the rest but leaves nothing for Holt. Safety now.

Frame Wattana - After missing the green attempting to clear earlier, Wattana clips a very thin green in from range, landing perfectly on the brown and clearing to double his lead. 2-0 Wattana.

Wattana gets down to the final red but again cannot get on it and the pair are locked in safety on it now, Holt with the advantage this time around in terms of score leading by 22.

A missed long pot from Wattana and decent mid range effort by Holt give him his second opening of the frame. It's all looking good until he pots a red, contacts another on the screw back and goes in off in the middle. From the ball in hand Wattana cuts a good red in and now has an opportunity to take advantage of his good fortune.

Holt's break ends on 40 after he fails to contact the bunch from the green. Not much happening since. Black is now on the bottom cushion and pink on the side cushion so a long pot for Wattana brings no more than the single point.

Frame 2 - A nice opening red gives Holt the first chance again in frame two. He's mopping up the reds nicely but needs to get in the pack soon.

Frame Wattana - Holt pots the final red and gets down to the green before things run awkward. He'd missed the ideal cannon on the brown and left the green thin, still potting the green but couldn't play on the brown. A few shots later Wattana hits a great long brown into the green pocket and does enough to clinch the opener. 1-0 Wattana

The Thai gets to 54 but misses a black cueing from the side cushion. Was never going to be on the final red the way he played so the pair are now locked in an important safety battle.

Wattana now has driven in a long red and soon has the black spot open too making this a really good chance to get the first frame, despite his deficit.

Break ends for Holt on 38 as he plays down from the pink but does not finish ideally on a red and misses. Nothing left for Wattana though so he has to play safe.

Frame 1 - First chance for Holt here after a bit of a wide one from range for Wattana. Plenty of reds open but black is awkward and the pink's on the brown spot so good cue ball control needed.

Last 64 action begins this morning and lasts throughout the day here in Cardiff and I'm starting the day watching Michael Holt once more, this time taking on James Wattana.

Holt came through 4-2 against Elliott Slessor in round one despite back to back centuries from his opponent. Wattana meanwhile was a comfortable winner against Zhang Yong, and after making the last 16 in the English Open earlier this season he'll be looking for more of the same in Cardiff this week. Could well be a close one here.

LIVE BLOG: Jack Lisowski vs Mark Joyce

Jack Lisowski 4-3 Mark Joyce - The final frame of this match kind of sums it up for both players. Joyce needed too many chances and couldn't make the most of things. Lisowski meanwhile was much more clinical and with the balls nicely placed in the decider he didn't hesitate or waste any time, completing a superb 103 clearance to advance to the last 64. The way he's playing another big week could be in store for the left hander.

The answer to the earlier question regarding Joyce was a no. He breaks down just 35 ahead and then from a later snooker escape he gives Lisowski his opportunity. He looks far more likely to make it count, particularly with the reds all in the middle of the table and sitting nicely.

Deciding Frame - It's Mark Joyce who has the first chance in the final frame with Lisowski again playing too openly. The question though is whether Joyce can do what Lisowski has done more of in this match and win the frame in one visit.

Frame Lisowski - After earning the opportunity to counter, no second invitation was needed for Lisowski. A clever shot to bring the only difficult red from the cushion is the highlight of a 73 clearance that means we're going all the way here on table 3. 3-3

Joyce gets to 40 before finding himself on a red of medium difficulty and missing. Lisowski misses a half chance but then pots a good red in the middle shortly after to earn a counter chance.

Frame 6 - Lisowski in first in frame six and from the fourth shot of the break he hammers into the reds from the black, spreading them everywhere only to watch one fall in the middle pocket. That's gifted Joyce an excellent chance to close out the match.

Frame Joyce - At the third time of asking Joyce takes his opportunity and makes a nice break of 65 on this occasion to regain the lead. Lisowski chasing again now and needs to tighten up here. 3-2 Joyce

Joyce lost position early in the last break but has his third chance of the frame now. Needs to make one of these count given Lisowski's response in the last two frames.

Frame 5 - Joyce needs to calm things down here after watching his 2-0 lead disappear. He has an early opening in frame five but needs to get the pack open soon.

Frame Lisowski - It certainly didn't take long at all for Lisowski. A run of 68 swiftly pulls him level against Mark Joyce and it's game on on table 3. 2-2

Frame 4 - An early half chance for Joyce is missed and Lisowski is now right in among the reds. The reds are all waiting and this the kind of chance you expect him to win the frame from in no time.

Frame Lisowski - Jack has indeed got himself on the board. A clearance of 71 is enough to halve the deficit. 2-1 Joyce.

Joyce has had a couple of opportunities but things ran awkward and he had to play safe. Lisowski then thunders a long red in and looks like taking the frame.

Frame 3 - Lisowski in first in the third frame and one he badly needs if he's going to win this match. He's missed on 37 though, overhitting a red that the pocket would never accept.

Frame Joyce - A run of 64 from Joyce is enough to leave Lisowski needing a snooker with five reds remaining. Lisowski never looks like getting the chance to lay one before allowing Joyce back in to put the frame beyond doubt. Not Jack's afternoon so far.

It didn't take long for Joyce's second chance to come courtesy of an excellent long red. He's been in ever since and looks comfortable as he aims to double his advantage.

Frame 2 - First chance to Joyce after Lisowski misses a red to middle. Not many open reds at all though and he can't do any better than two reds with two yellows.

Frame Joyce - A second chance came for Joyce and he's grabbed it, clearing easily to take the opening frame. 1-0 Joyce

Lisowski's chance went astray and Joyce potted the last red and got to the green before missing what was a difficult frame ball shot. Safety on the green now.

Frame 1 - Finally made it back in and Joyce and Lisowski are still in the opening frame. Joyce has the slight upper hand but Lisowski is in with a half chance. Final red on the side cushion but near the middle pocket. Green close to cushion also.

Think this one is set to come out on table 3 after Mei Xiwen and Jak Jones overran slightly. Expecting this one to be a good contest between Shanghai Masters semi finalist Jack Lisowski and UK Championship quarter finalist Mark Joyce. Both were in the Grand Prix last week and beat higher ranked opposition to make the last 16.