Welsh Open Snooker 2017: Updated Scores, Draw, Schedule After Tuesday's Results
Defending champion Ronnie O'Sullivan cruised into the next stage of the 2017 Welsh Open Snooker after defeating Tom Ford 4-1 in the first round at the Motorpoint Arena in Cardiff, Wales, on Tuesday.
Marco Fu joined the Rocket in the next phase after dispatching Martin Gould 4-2 in the morning session.
There was a surprise exit for Masters finalist Joe Perry, with the Fen Potter crashing out after losing 4-3 to Anthony McGill.
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Judd Trump and Mark Selby also qualified with first-round victories, ensuring O'Sullivan has credible challengers as the tournament unfolds.
Here are the latest first-round results including a recap of the major action:
| Mark Selby | 4-0 | Liam Highfield |
| Mike Dunn | 4-1 | Kurt Dunham |
| Barry Hawkins | 4-1 | Fraser Patrick |
| Andrew Higginson | 1-4 | Judd Trump |
| Daniel Wells | 1-4 | Yan Bingtao |
| Allister Carter | 4-2 | Zhao Xintong |
| Ding Junhui | 2-4 | Robin Hulll |
| Robert Milkins | 4-0 | Yu De Lu |
| Matthew Selt | 3-4 | Mei Xiwen |
| Hamza Akbar | 2-4 | Peter Ebdon |
| Boonyarit Keattikun | 4-1 | Ken Doherty |
| Mark Williams | 3-4 | Elliot Slessor |
| Sydney Wilson | 0-4 | Mark Allen |
| Gareth Allen | 3-4 | Wang Yachen |
| Tom Ford | 1-4 | Ronnie O'Sullivan |
| Rod Lawler | 2-4 | Liang Wenbo |
| Oliver Lines | 1-4 | Eden Sharav |
| Anthony McGill | 4-3 | Joe Perry |
| Hammad Miah | 1-4 | Josh Boileau |
| Tyler Rees | 1-4 | Jamie Jones |
| Alfie Burden | 0-4 | Igor Figueiredo |
| Sam Craigie | 2-4 | Stuart Carrington |
| Martin Gould | 2-4 | Marco Fu |
| David Grace | 2-4 | Robbie Williams |
| Andy Hicks | 4-2 | Martin O'Donnell |
| Duane Jones | 1-4 | Michael White |
| Mark King | 4-2 | David Jones |
| Alan McManus | 2-4 | Christopher Keogan |
The latest draw and schedule can be found via BBC Sport.
Tuesday Recap
Snooker icon O'Sullivan will feature in the next round after skipping past Ford with consummate ease at the Motorpoint.
The five-time world champion lost a messy opening frame to his countryman, but the world No. 35 could not build on the success as the Rocket kicked into gear.
O'Sullivan slotted away breaks of 53, 101 and 47, winning four frames on the bounce to claim an easy win.
World Snooker confirmed the result:
O'Sullivan defeated Neil Robertson 9-5 in last year's final, claiming his fourth Welsh Open victory. The legend will now face Mark Davis in the round of 64 as he chases a fifth crown.
Fu had an easy day at the office after overcoming the recent disappointment of defeat at the World Grand Prix.
Cue-Man-Fu prevailed as he defeated Gould 4-2, with the Scottish Open champion appearing in ominous early-competition form.
Trump found a safe passage into the next round as he defeated Andrew Higginson 4-1 in the evening session. Selby also put in a superb performance, whitewashing Liam Highfield 4-0.
Home favourite and former world champion, Mark Williams, disappointed fans in his match, narrowly losing 4-3 to Elliot Slessor.
O'Sullivan lacked concentration at the start of his first-round match, but he soon warmed up to proceed with little fuss.
The defending champion is once again the man to beat, but the usual suspects of Selby and Trump are liable to run the Rocket close in Cardiff.
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