LIVE BLOG: Robin Hull Vs Alan McManus

Alan McManus 6-3 Robin Hull - Hull did have a half chance in the ninth before running out of position. McManus already with a handy lead knocked in a good long red and then played a good shot on the penultimate red to the yellow pocket and the resulting brown left Hull needing a snooker. It was not to be though and McManus is over the line. Hull had his chances today, frame six is the key one that comes to mind but in the end McManus looked much more solid among the balls after the break and was the better of the two tactically. A well deserved victory it is for McManus.

Hull was unable to find the snookers he required to stay in the match

Frame 9 - McManus in after a missed half chance for Hull and it's a good opening for the Scot as he looks to at least build a lead and hopes to put this match to bed.

McManus looks to put this match to bed with a good chance in frame 9

Frame Hull - Some good work at the end of the break after mopping up the easy reds makes this a frame winner. A run of 50 it is and Hull pulls a frame back. 5-3 McManus

Frame 8 - Slow start to this one with plenty of tactical play. Balls scattered around though means if either player can get in a good chance awaits. With that Hull has just potted from range and landed on the black and could make a few here.

Frame McManus - McManus really making Hull pay now for his errors, he doubles the pain of winning frame six by claiming this seventh frame in one visit. A superb break of 82 is enough to put him one away from the second round. 5-2 McManus

Frame 7 - Hull attempted a risky red and missed at the start of the seventh and that's opened things up for McManus. He's having to work a little harder now as the break enters the forties but it is looking good for the Scotsman

Frame McManus - Hull misses frame ball red with the rest and extensions to leave McManus in with the chance to clear. It was fairly plain sailing until the blue where he was the wrong side and had to come around the angles to get nicely on the pink. He over hit it but still potted the pink but was unable to land on the black. A poor safety though from Hull thereafter left McManus an easy enough black to clinch the frame. 4-2 McManus

After a period of safety that has seen the reds pushed towards the bottom right corner as I look, McManus comes up short with a safety shot and leaves Hull with a chance. Staying in good position on the colours is going to be the biggest challenge of this break but it's certainly a chance to level the scores.

Frame 6 - Chances for both players at the start of the sixth frame. Hull misses a tricky black along the bottom rail on 18 while McManus runs out of position on 16.

Frame McManus - Despite a miss on the final red it was a nice break from McManus to leave Hull needing snookers but he's still not looking happy out there at all. 3-2 McManus

McManus back in with another decent long pot and has had to play a couple of nice reds since to keep the break going. With the balls at his mercy now he should move in front again.

Frame 5 - McManus wobbles a long cut in the jaws, how it does not fall in is beyond me. That leaves Hull in and he makes 28 before also wobbling a red in the same corner pocket. McManus now can make him pay but cannons the reds on 16 and lands on nothing and plays safe.

Frame Hull - It was McManus who won the battle on the yellow after a couple of misses on it from Hull but with the blue awkward at a tight angle into the middle, McManus does not end up ideal on it and leaves it on the far jaw. Hull is able to clip it in and the pink follows to complete a 41 minute frame. 2-2

Hull pots both reds on the cushion well but from the black he ends up in front of the blue and can only take on the yellow with the spider. He did not get that close to it understandably but it fell safe and the pair are still locked an important battle.

McManus misses on 37 and is fuming with himself once again. Chance for Hull now though the last two reds are both on the bottom cushion

Frame 4 - Hull was in early in this frame with a nice chance until a horrible mis-cue ended his break. It didn't leave McManus in but it was not long before he smashed in a nice long red and now has an excellent chance to double his lead going into the break.

Frame McManus - McManus wins the battle on the final two reds with a nice pot to get back in, and with the remaining balls in the open, he is able to do enough to get back in front. 2-1 McManus

Hull misses the black off it's spot on 38 leaving McManus in. He makes 28 but cannot get on either of the last two reds and has to play safe eight points adrift. Important battle now ongoing in this third frame.

Frame 3 - McManus really isn't happy here. Already in this frame he's been aggravated on a shot by his Betway logo and ripped that off his waistcoat, played a bad roll up that left a chance for Hull, and when the Finn missed that McManus potted a red but missed the black to leave Hull right in amongst them.

Finland's Robin Hull looks in good touch as he levels the match. 

Frame Hull - There was to be no way back in this second frame for McManus with that missed black proving costly. A calm and composed break of 90 from Hull, particularly given frame ball that required a lot of focus to block out the noise from the crowd, and the match is all square. 1-1

McManus can only look on in frustration after his error lets Hull off the hook. 

Hull misses a tricky red along the bottom cushion on just 19 but leaves nothing. Soon after McManus powers a good long red in but misses the black, potentially suggesting a bad contact by his body language. That has give Hull a third chance and I can't see the Scotsman coming back to the table again in this frame.

A second chance is not long in coming for Hull. A two cushion escape from McManus aiming to clip the pack thin and run back to baulk misses the pack and hits the blue leaving a red for Robin. A great opportunity for him if he can keep ideal position.

Frame 2 - A good pot from Hull gives him the first chance in this frame and after thin pots on the green and the following red he looked to play a soft cannon from the blue into the reds. With a few already open you'd have expected him to land on one but he doesn't and has to play safe on 13.

Frame McManus - Hull breaks down on 57 after missing a red I expected him to get in all honesty. After that a bad safety on the two remaining reds left one on from range into the yellow pocket. McManus pots it and with the remaining balls in the open he clears with 37 to win the first frame. 1-0 McManus

McManus misses a mid range red on 24 and now Hull is in with a really nice opening here. With his scoring prowess I would not be surprised if he mopped up in one visit.

Frame 1 - It's been a nervy start to this match. Both players have had tricky pot attempts and missed but it is McManus with the first decent chance here now with a few reds available.

One for all of my Finnish followers this afternoon as the live blog will be coming from Robin Hull's match on table 3 against Alan McManus.

McManus has a bit of a battle on if you look at the provisional end of season money list. He could drop off tour theoretically and defeat today would be a dent on that list too.

As for Hull he has shown some decent form in recent weeks beating Zhou Yuelong twice in the space of a month by comfortable margins. He was very close to making the last 16 last week in Belfast and looks to be back scoring well after a quiet period. I can see this being a really tight match this afternoon if both players perform well.

LIVE BLOG: Andrew Higginson vs Sam Craigie

Andrew Higginson 6-0 Sam Craigie - An additional 42 break from Higginson puts him a ball away from victory leading by 58 with just four reds left but he decides to play safe on a risky match ball. Craigie goes for a long pot and misses and Higginson cuts one into the middle to close out a very convincing win. Have to say Higginson was very solid, didn't miss many and in all honesty did not give Craigie too many clear cut chances. He'll be very happy with that performance and could be dangerous in the next round.

Craigie had to play safe early in his break and after missing another long red soon after, Higginson is back in and now with a very good chance of completing victory.

Frame 6 - A missed long red from Craigie has Higginson straight back in, in what is the frame he needs for victory. It's not a golden chance though and he misses a tricky one early in the break. Opportunity now for Craigie who will be desperate to avoid a whitewash.

Frame Higginson - Craigie misses a blue into the corner and is unable to make his chance count. Higginson comes back in and clears the remaining reds to leave Craigie needing snookers. Higginson now is just one frame away from the last 64. 5-0 Higginson

Craigie missed the black on 23 and it could prove costly here. Higginson is in now and has the reds open nicely to fully punish him and go a frame away from victory, but now he's missed as well. Craigie back in and now has to make this count.

Frame 5 - It pretty much goes without saying that Craigie needs to keep Higginson on four frames for as long as possible. He's earned the first chance in frame five and this is probably the best chance he's had so far to put a big contribution together.

Frame Higginson - An additional 41 is enough for Higginson to take this fourth frame and take a real commanding lead. Have to say he has played very well here so far making some nice breaks and his pressure potting has been impressive. Craigie meanwhile has not had too many decent chances so cannot be too hard on himself. 4-0 Higginson

After a safety battle that opened the reds and sent the majority towards baulk it looked like one more chance for Higginson would be enough to take the frame. However, he ran out of ideal position and missed a tough red into the middle but Craigie could not capitalise. Looking like 4-0 now.

Frame 4 - Higginson was in first again in this frame after a nice long pot, and this time he made 34 before losing position. Craigie has since had a half chance but could only make 8 and really needs to win this safety battle now.

Frame Higginson - A run of 46 was enough for Higginson to leave Craigie needing snookers and after a bit of time playing on, Higginson knocks in another good long red to seal the frame. Craigie really needs to get the next one before the interval. 3-0 Higginson

Frame 3 - A slow burner at the start of frame three but Higginson is currently at the table with a decent chance. Craigie missed a tough red into the middle leaving it on the far jaw, before Higginson came off the bottom cushion to pot it and he's looking good again here.

Frame Higginson - A nice break of 71 from Higginson has left Craigie needing snookers after just 7 minutes of this second frame. Craigie played on but it wasn't to be and Higginson doubles his lead. 2-0 Higginson

Frame 2 - Straight away in the second frame Higginson is in after rolling in a lovely long red. He quickly has the pack and reds open too and this is an excellent opportunity to double his lead.

Frame Higginson - A good long red from Higginson is the key to this first frame. He lands nicely on the pink and has the colours on their spots to put the opener on the board 1-0 Higginson

Craigie pots the first of the two reds by the black but in doing so cannons the other which finishes on the side cushion. He could only drop the pink in and play safe on that red from the angle left, so it's anyone's frame as they battle on the final red.

Higginson misses a pink into the middle now and this chance has been handed over to Craigie. There are a couple of reds next to the black that may need opening up but otherwise this is a decent opportunity now.

Frame 1 - An early chance for Craigie has gone astray with a missed pink to the middle and it's a pretty good opportunity that is left now in this opener for Higginson to get the frame on the board.

Heading back into the Sports Hall this morning for a cracking little match between two players I enjoy watching.

Sam Craigie looked good last week in Belfast featuring a cracking win over Kyren Wilson in his first match with new glasses. He scored heavily to make the last 16 of the Northern Ireland Open and if he is on similar form today then Andrew Higginson will have a tough time on his hands.

Higginson has been a little quiet this season since a good run at the start of the year in Riga. Following that he did make the last 16 at the English Open and on his day can also be a very heavy scorer.

LIVE BLOG: Mark Allen vs Lukas Kleckers

Mark Allen 6-2 Lukas Kleckers - A nice break of 72 from Allen leaves Kleckers needing a couple of snookers and after a few attempts Allen gets the chance required to close the door on this match once and for all. Some very nice scoring tonight from Allen and it really made the difference in this match. Plenty more to come from Kleckers though as he continues to gain experience. Allen though is surely a contender here in York.

Frame 8 - Allen looking to make up for those misses on the black in the last frame and he is in straight away with a good scoring chance. With balls open I expect him to finish it here.

Frame Kleckers - Allen pots brown, blue and pink but is only 7 ahead with the black left and cannot get on the black. He then missed an opportunity to roll it in the middle and that allowed Kleckers to force the re-spot. Allen missed an effort from range second time round on the black and Kleckers pots it from distance to keep the match going. 5-2 Allen

Kleckers broke down on 53 and Allen was able to clear to the brown nicely but go no further, closing to within 16 points before having to play safe and the pair are still battling away on the brown ball.

Frame 7 - There's a long way to go before realistically there's a chance of a comeback here but Allen has just taken his foot off the gas since the start of frame 6. Kleckers in again here and with a decent opportunity to claw a second frame back.

Frame Kleckers - His initial break ended on 61 after going in-off on the black, but Kleckers rolls a long red in soon after and on his third chance he is able to take out the frame. Allen still with a comfortable lead though. 5-1 Allen

Frame 6 - The big question here is whether Kleckers can get a frame on the board. He's in with a chance here in the sixth but still a bit of work to do depending on the availability of the three reds in the middle of the table.

Frame Allen - These last three frames have really been a masterclass of scoring from Mark Allen. Once again he takes the opening presented with both hands, making a superb 104 to move within a frame of the second round. 5-0 Allen

Frame 5 - After a period of safety that's pushed reds open and up into the baulk half of the table, Allen neatly rolls a red into the middle to gain the first chance. Expect him to make the most of it again.

Frame Allen - Mark Allen really is making break building look so easy at the moment. There was one hurdle he had to climb over after over hitting position for frame ball red, taking it as a much tougher pot into the middle. From there he was comfortable and went on to make a break of 99, one less than the previous frame, and he holds a commanding lead. 4-0 Allen

Frame 4 - Allen straight back in again here in frame four with Kleckers and has the balls nicely placed for another big break. Hard to see Kleckers getting a foothold in this match any time soon.

Frame Allen - Despite a brilliant shot having to be played after Allen hampered himself badly on a red halfway through the break, the Northern Irishman clears with a break of 100 to take full control. 3-0 Allen

Frame 3 - Kleckers has missed another early chance here and now Allen is in and wastes no time getting the reds open. Balls at his mercy for a 3-0 lead.

Frame Allen - A nasty mis-cue from Kleckers has ended up costing him here. It left Allen in and he has made sure to punish the German. A clearance of 81 has doubled his lead. 2-0 Allen

Frame 2 - Kleckers will be looking to hit straight back here but after two decent chances has only been able to build a 35 point lead. Still loads of mileage in this frame.

Frame Allen - A good long red gives Allen the chance to finish the frame off and by potting the penultimate red into the middle he has left Kleckers needing snookers. 1-0 Allen

Allen missed on 48 and then a couple of shots later a missed long pot has given Kleckers an opening. However, he can only make 19 before losing position. Allen still leads by 33 with three reds left.

Frame 1 - First chance to Allen this evening. As he gets into the thirties with the break, he's opened the reds nicely and certainly has not been messing around this season when it comes to scoring so this could quickly be frame one on the board.

Live blog number three of the day coming up and this one is one for my German fans with Lukas Kleckers in action against Mark Allen.

Allen has been in great form so far this season making the International Championship final and World Open semi final but will be looking to kick on here in York over the next week and a half.

As for Kleckers he's drawn a number of top players already this season and gave Ronnie O'Sullivan a good game last week in Belfast taking a couple of frames off the Rocket in a best of 7 match, and making a magnificent total clearance in the middle of that match. If he produces more of that then Allen will have a game on his hands here.

LIVE BLOG: Shaun Murphy vs Hamza Akbar

Shaun Murphy 6-1 Hamza Akbar - It was not a clear cut one visit final frame for Shaun Murphy but he managed to shut out Hamza Akbar who did not do all that much wrong in some of the frames today. A good performance though from Murphy with some nice breaks in there and showing some of his Champion of Champions winning form.

Frame Murphy - Murphy makes the counter clearance look easy although a couple of balls wobbled in the early part of the break. A clearance of 74 it was to put Murphy within one of the last 64. 5-1 Murphy

An easy afternoons work for Shaun Murphy

Frame 6 - An early chance for Hamza has seen him build up a handy 57 point lead, before running out of position and taking on a risky red which doesn't fall. Opportunity now for Murphy to counter and make him pay for that error.

Frame 5 - Shaun Murphy - Another one in the bag for Shaun who is in complete control here. Akbar been frozen out in recent frames which is culminating in errors when he does get the odd half chance. A run of 52 the high in that fifth frame as Murphy extends his lead. 4-1 Murphy

Shaun Murphy looks to be continuing his fine form in York. 

Frame 4 - Shaun Murphy - Murphy follows up the nice break from frame three with another superb contribution in the fourth. Hamza simply went for a tricky red in the middle and left Murphy an opportunity from mid-range. It was not long before it became a frame winning chance and then a magnificent total clearance of 129 was the end result. Murphy in control now despite losing that opener. Time for the mid-session break now. Murphy 3-1

Frame 3 - Shaun Murphy - No messing around in frame three for Shaun Murphy getting in first, blazing the reds open and making an initial break of 74 to leave Hamza needing snookers and then coming back to mop up the rest. Have noted recently that Murphy is playing even quicker than usual. Could be wrong but seems that way. 2-1 Murphy

Frame Murphy - While he did not finish the frame at that original visit, a second opportunity came quickly, and with a 56 point lead there was to be no second mistake. 1-1

Frame 2 - First chance to Murphy in frame two as he looks to strike back. All the reds are out in the open, very much an opportunity you would expect him to make the most of.

Frame Hamza - Hamza Akbar strikes first blood here after an additional 38 gave him a nice lead. Murphy threatened to strike back but after missing the final red in the middle Hamza has done enough to put the first frame in the books. 1-0 Hamza

Frame 1 - Murphy had the first chance in this opening frame after Hamza nailed the blue from the break off. Missing on 16 though left Hamza in and though he's got the reds open nicely he's just run out of position and snookered Murphy in the baulk end.

Looking forward to this afternoon with Shaun Murphy in action against Hamza Akbar. Was saying the other day that Hamza hasn't really had a fair crack yet what with the visa issues and he won't make life easy here for Murphy.

Plenty of other good matches on this afternoon with Lu Haotian in action against Anthony Hamilton. Judd Trump meanwhile is on table 1 and even money with the sponsors Betway to win 6-0 against Matthew Bolton. Table 3 meanwhile sees Martin Gould and Joe Swail.

LIVE BLOG: Ricky Walden vs Duane Jones

Ricky Walden 6-1 Duane Jones - it was last chance saloon for Jones and he misses a black on 31 and leaves the last two reds for Walden who picks up the pieces to secure a very comfortable win. Looked in good form today did Walden.

Frame 7 - Walden built himself a great match winning chance in this frame potting some really difficult balls and getting the reds open and was all set for a big break to close until missing the pink while hampered, ending the break on 45. Jones is subsequently in now with an opportunity to prolong this match.

Frame Walden - A big steal in the end from Walden. He clawed away at Jones lead and after a good safety on the final red, Jones error led to a 23 to the pink that has put Walden a frame away from victory now. 5-1 Walden

Frame 6 - Jones really needs to get this one on the board to have any chance of a comeback here. He is in first here though with a decent chance, and all the reds open so he needs to make this count.

Frame Walden - Fantastic break from Ricky Walden. He's looking really impressive here this morning, back close to his best. A wonderful clearance of 118 has put him well in control of this contest. 4-1 Walden

Frame 5 - Back from the interval and Walden is in first with a decent opening. Needs to get into the pack soon to take the frame at this visit but has already played a couple of great shots as he looks to stretch further ahead.

Frame Walden - Good work from Walden initially to chip away at Jones lead and then to earn his chance on the final red. A clearance of 33, though the pink had a wobble before falling in the middle, is enough to keep Walden ahead going into the interval. 3-1 Walden

Frame 4 - Jones has a handy lead in the fourth but still plenty on if Walden can get in. Important safety battle with five reds left here.

Frame Jones - He needed a second chance in the end but after a missed green from Walden, Jones was able to do enough to leave Walden needing snookers. Jones back in it. 2-1 Walden

Frame 3 - Walden has had an early opportunity in this frame but there's a nice opening now for Jones to pile on some points. Needless to say he has to take advantage here to stay in the contest really.

Frame Walden - Good stuff from Walden here as a snooker on the last two reds gives him the chance to finish the frame off. 2-0 Walden

A slightly thin safety from Jones gave Walden an opportunity from long range which he nicely slotted home. The following break of 47 only ended when he couldn't split the final three reds from the bottom cushion, but he is well in charge here.

Frame 2 - Slower start here to frame two. We've seen a nice snooker escape from Walden but safety wise it's Jones that's in control.

Frame 1 - Ricky Walden - This looks a lot more like the Ricky Walden we're used to seeing. His chance came nice and early in the frame and he made the most of it. Into the pack halfway through the break allowing him to make a nice break of 90 and take the opening frame. 1-0 Walden

Didn't expect to see Ricky Walden on one of the stream tables this morning ahead of Anthony McGill vs Ashley Hugill but it will still be my feature match of the morning.

There were signs in Belfast that Walden is coming back into a bit of form but this still won't be an easy game against someone in Jones who can score heavily on his day.

LIVE BLOG: Tian Pengfei vs Cao Yupeng

Cao Yupeng 6-5 Tian Pengfei - What a match this was and what bottle Cao Yupeng showed at the end. The punch of the table as he potted match ball showed just how much frustration had been boiling up from how his lead had slipped and how he lost last week in Belfast. Unlucky for Tian though who could easily have won the first two frames after the interval but lost them both.

Great chance now for Cao. The last couple of reds are out in the open and he clears them well and with the colours on their spots he should clear and win here

Both players have had early chances in the decider that did not come to much but Cao had a decent chance until missing with the rest, and leaving the chance for Tian. He is straight into the pack off the first black in the break and now has the reds nicely open but just couldn't hold onto position. Frame in the balance with six reds left.

Frame 11 - Worth remembering that in the first round of the Northern Ireland Open Cao lost from 3-0 ahead, 4-3 to Li Hang so he's going to be under huge pressure here to make sure he doesn't lose from being way in front again.

Frame Tian - A very poor safety has cost Cao here. Already trailing by so much he couldn't afford that and an additional 36 from Tian has forced the decider from 5-2 adrift. 5-5

Frame 10 - Tian has a 49 point lead early in this frame though most of that has come from a snooker laid in the early stages. Reds are going scrappy though so could be a valuable lead and a long frame coming up.

Frame Tian - These last two frames from Tian Pengfei have really been excellent. After the break of 92 in the eighth he has followed it up as I suggested he would. A timely 88 and Tian has quickly clawed his way back to just one frame behind. 5-4 Cao

Frame 9 - Fantastic long pot gets Tian in first in frame nine and with the pack of reds open this is certainly a good scoring chance. After his good break in the last he may well have another here.

Frame Tian - Tian is looking a lot more relaxed now as he stares defeat in the face. A very quick and composed break of 92 has reduced the deficit. 5-3 Cao

Frame 8 - Tian has a mountain to climb here but all great comebacks have to start somewhere. After Cao missed early in the frame Tian is swiftly into the fifties and looking like pegging a frame back.

Frame Cao - The break ends at 72 for Cao with nine reds and nine blacks. There was still 75 remaining when he missed and Tian had a brief chance but missed the black from his first red and conceded as he required snookers. 5-2 Cao

Frame 7 - Looking to seize the moment here, Cao Yupeng has the first chance following an error from Tian and he's taking advantage so far. With his break into the forties he'll be hoping to clinch this in one visit and not let Tian do what Cao has done to him in the last two frames.

Frame Cao - A bad way to lose a frame again for Tian. He took a handy lead on to the colours but gave away a couple of fouls on the green attempting to escape from a good snooker Cao laid. Tian did pot the green in the end but could not land on the brown and when Cao's chance came soon after he cleared the four remaining colours to double his lead. 4-2 Cao

Tian ended up missing on 55 and leaving a chance for Cao, but the safe reds have saved Tian from seeing another big clearance from his opponent and with three reds left he still has a very handy lead.

Frame 6 - Tian in first again in frame six and needs to take advantage this time. Into the forties with a few reds open that could see him clinch the frame at this visit.

Frame Cao - As expected there was to be no mistake from Cao as he clears with a break of 69 to go back in front. 3-2 Cao

Tian missed the black off it's spot on 47 and now Cao is on the counter. Looking good so far, red on the side cushion is going to be the big hurdle. He's decided to bring out with a cannon and now looks set with the balls positioned nicely to clear.

Frame 5 - Back from the interval in this all-Chinese clash and Tian has the first good chance of the frame. He's building a decent lead with a few reds open but will need to get into the pack to win it at this visit.

Frame Tian - After missing an earlier chance when he couldn't negotiate position from green to brown, Tian had another chance when Cao later missed the blue, clearing to pinch the frame and square the match again. 2-2

Cao missed again in the 40's, on 48 this time with a red to the middle and a couple of shots later Tian played a beautiful red into the yellow pocket and is now taking out Cao's lead. Last three reds difficultly placed though and he's had to play safe on 43 just five points adrift.

Frame 4 - Great chance being forged here in frame four by Cao who will be happy to have won the last frame. Having got to 40 and gotten the pack open this is a great chance to lead at the mid-session interval.

Frame Cao - A lot happening at the end of frame three there. A long battle on the green saw a frustrating miss for Tian followed by a Cao mis-cue. That left Tian a golden chance but he didn't land nicely on the pink, and went in-off trying to go around the table for the black. From ball in hand Cao cut the pink in to take a long frame. 2-1 Cao

Cao's initial break ended on 43 and after a period of safety Tian is in now with the chance for a clearance. He's not on the final red but has a nice safety and has drawn the scores even after that contribution.

Frame 3 - Cao in first this time and into the 30's. A few reds open for him here but will probably need to get into the pack again to win the frame at this visit.

Frame Tian - An additional 46 to go with the earlier 32 is more than enough for Tian to level this match and already you can tell we have two players in good form here. 1-1

Frame 2 - Tian was in first with 32 before going into the reds from a red and not landing nicely on a colour. He snookered Cao behind the black though and the resulting escape left Tian another chance and he'll be hoping to level the match from here.

Frame Cao - A break of 60 in his laid back manner is enough for Cao Yupeng to take the first frame against Tian Pengfei. Cao sporting some sparkly shoes tonight that wouldn't look out of place on Strictly Come Dancing. 1-0 Cao

Frame 1 - After an early chance each, Cao is in now with a good scoring chance and with the form he has been in he would certainly hope to win the frame at this visit.

Call me dedicated but I'm ready to go again. Didn't want to miss this clash that could be key down the line in the battle for tour survival. Tian Pengfei was a quarter-finalist last week in Belfast while Cao Yupeng has been a semi-finalist this season. Should be a cracker.

Also in the sports hall we have Yu De Lu against Ian Preece on the next table, Yan Bingtao makes his return on table 7 while David Grace and Jak Jones is on table 8 at the far end.

LIVE BLOG: Rory McLeod vs Zhao Xintong

Zhao Xintong 6-5 Rory McLeod - Zhao potted the difficult brown but left the cue ball close to the rail and missed the blue. McLeod then missed his chance and Zhao potted an excellent blue for the match. A well deserved win for the young man.

Zhao wins the long battle on the final three reds by thundering in a long red to give himself the chance to clear. He pots the final three reds but will need the brown on the side cushion

McLeod runs out of position but gets another chance soon after. However he can only build a 15 point lead before missing an easy enough third to last red. Nothing left for Zhao though so an important safety battle in progress.

McLeod misses a red and leaves it in the jaws but the path for Zhao looks blocked. He thought he could get through but hits the blocking two reds first and now McLeod has a great chance to make him pay for that error in judgement.

Decider - A nervy start to the final frame and a McLeod mis-cue personifies that. However, Zhao hasn't been able to take full advantage yet but does have an early lead with eight reds remaining.

Frame McLeod - Decider coming up then after McLeod's fluke on the final red. Surprised he's been able to come back after Zhao got on a nice run to go 5-3 ahead. Also the final match left this afternoon and I'm the last person in the sports hall watching

Both players have had chances in this frame. McLeod leads by 18 as they battle on the final red. The colours are all in the open so it really is all on the red - and McLeod flukes it.

A missed red to the middle for McLeod has produced a chance for Zhao now. Plenty of reds in the open but still one or two on cushions that could stop him winning the match at this visit.

Frame 10 - We could be going the distance here. After a scrappy start to the frame McLeod is in but again he cannot take advantage. Still a long way to go before this frame is settled.

Frame McLeod - A run of 40 did not get it done and he needed two more chances thereafter but McLeod finally gets frame nine on the board and closes the gap to just one. 5-4 Zhao

A nice snooker from McLeod has given him the next chance of frame nine and it's a good one. Plenty of reds open as he edges ahead in the frame and really he should be able to close the gap to 5-4 here.

Frame 9 - Things have really gotten away from McLeod here and Zhao has his tail up. The left hander has the first chance in the ninth, only needing one frame for victory here. He misses a tough pot on 22 though after going into the reds. Could have been a match winner had it gone in.

Frame Zhao - A run of 47 from Zhao to the green looks like being enough to open up a two frame advantage, barring a series of snookers. 5-3 Zhao

Zhao's earlier break was ended when he missed the pack looking to go into them. A safety error from McLeod though has given him another decent chance as he aims to go two frames clear.

Frame 8 - McLeod has been good from long range today and is so again at the start of the eighth. His break gets up to 23 before he plays a red and screwing back off the pack he goes in-off in the middle. Zhao then pots his own long red and is in now.

Frame Zhao - No messing around from the young Chinese player and he takes the great scoring chance he calved for himself. A break of 82 that was easy on the eye edges him ahead once more. 4-3 Zhao

Frame 7 - Zhao is in first in the seventh after narrowly losing the previous frame and has built a good scoring chance here. The frame looks there for the taking as the break moves into the 50's.

After fluking the final red and only being able to pot the green, Zhao can only tie as he and McLeod play safe on the yellow. Rory leaves the yellow on for Zhao who pots it and snookers McLeod on the green. From there he misses and leaves Zhao a chance to clear up and win but a miss with the rest on the pink ends that hope and after more safety McLeod pots the pink from range. 3-3

Zhao gets a chance to counter with four reds left, potting the first two and then fluking the next when trying to play safe. He misses the following black and after a missed double from McLeod the pair are battling it out on this final red with McLeod 31 in front.

Frame 6 - McLeod looking to get back into this after losing the last three frames and he has a good opportunity to do that here. Zhao's snooker escape left McLeod in and he's looking good until screwing in-off in the middle. Nothing left but a risky red for Zhao though which he misses and leaves safe. A second McLeod in-off just after could prove costly though as Zhao finds a good red from range but misses the black and McLeod will be relieved to be back in now.

Frame Zhao McLeod could not land on a red after going into the cluster of three and a poor safety to follow allows Zhao the red he needed for the frame. 3-2 Zhao

Zhao makes the highest break of the match so far at 62 but isn't over the line in this frame yet. His miss into the baulk pocket and a pot into the opposite one from McLeod has given him the chance to counter. Three reds bunched in the middle of the table need seeing to but no balls on cushions.

Frame 5 - Back from the interval and it's Zhao with the first opportunity after McLeod leaves on the long red he went for. After taking the last two frames Zhao will be looking to kick on now.

Frame Zhao - A miss from range on the final red from Zhao isn't punished, and McLeod's subsequent miss leaves Zhao the opening needed with all the colours in the middle of the table to clear and square this match at the mid-session break. 2-2

McLeod missed when in on 34 in the end and despite two decent chances since from Zhao, the elder player of the two still holds a slender lead in the frame and has now knocked in another good long red to give himself a decent chance, but wobbles the next red in the jaws of the middle. A good opportunity for Zhao now, but he can only make 6 before missing.

Frame 4 - First chance to McLeod at the beginning of frame four. Looks a decent one too and McLeod will be looking to beat his highest break of the match so far which from memory isn't all that high.

Frame Zhao - Eventually after the tip tapping in the corner pocket it's McLeod who makes the error, knocking the black in and leaving the frame open for Zhao who with both reds over the pocket and colours in the open, does more than enough to get his opening frame. 2-1 McLeod

Zhao has played a brilliant safety here. With one red already tied to the black over the corner pocket, Zhao has played the other one very close to it and gotten the full distance of the table between cue ball and object ball(s). McLeod plays a good return after two misses and now a bizarre re-rack could take place even.

McLeod misses a red along the cushion with a 33 point lead and Zhao set about clawing that back. Despite an eventual missed black he left the final two reds safe and is now only 11 behind. Still struggling with the cough though. Has just had to come up off a shot because of it.

Run of the ball hasn't helped Zhao thus far. McLeod missed on 18 but left nothing, but a long pot from the Chinese youngster shortly after has forced an opening now. He can only make 8 however before missing the pink and McLeod is back in, lots of safe reds though at the moment.

Frame 3 - I said this match would be a clash of styles and so far I've been right. McLeod has really got a hold of this game and is in the mood to grind Zhao down. A slightly rash shot from Zhao is perhaps a sign of frustration and has left McLeod in with the first good chance of the third frame.

Frame McLeod - Zhao pots a good brown from range but cannons the black on the side cushion and ends up snookered on the blue behind it. He misses the blue completely and leaves it on and that is enough for McLeod to close out the second frame. 2-0

McLeod is winning the big battles so far. He wins the safety on the final red but misses the green so only leads by seven with those five colours remaining.

McLeod reduces the gap to just six before missing a tricky pink in the middle. Doesn't leave either of the two remaining reds on though and an important safety battle is ongoing.

Zhao makes a swift 38 but breaks down after failing to get into the cluster of three reds in the middle of the table while the other three reds were on cushions. A good long red and blue to follow have now given McLeod the chance to reduce the deficit in this frame.

Bit of safety at the start of frame two and it's McLeod that makes the error to leave Zhao in who seems to be coughing more and more out here. Needs to take these sort of opportunities and avoid Rory dragging him down

Frame 2 - Worth noting that there seems to be some air con on in the arena. No idea why as it's absolutely freezing and it's nicely dried my throat. Wondering if the same has happened to Zhao who was coughing a lot during the first frame and may perhaps not be 100%.

Snookers needed for Zhao now after McLeod pots the yellow. Otherwise the first frame is McLeods. 1-0 McLeod

McLeod misses a chance at frame ball black and Zhao nicely rolls the last red in down the cushion. The yellow was also safe though and that's where the next battle lies. All other colours in the middle of the table.

Both players have had half chances here but there are a lot of safe reds here. Last three reds all safe and McLeod lays a snooker with a 19 point lead.

McLeod broke down on 19 and took a long red into the green pocket knowing that was the only red he could leave. He did leave it but Zhao missed the following black. Safety now.

Frame 1 - It's taken all of 25 seconds for the first pot in the match as Zhao plays a lovely long red but then misses a thin cut on his next red. Chance now for McLeod.

Setting up for the first afternoon session here at the UK Championships. Some good matches coming up this afternoon but my focus will be on Rory McLeod and Zhao Xintong.

A real clash of styles awaits in this best of 11 and it's going to be fascinating to see who gets off to a good start early.

I will also have half an eye on the other matches this afternoon, including Fang Xiomgman and Mike Dunn on the neighbouring table.