Jamie O’Neil (pictured below) launched his return to the professional tour with a sparkling 4-1 victory over the excellent Barry Hawkins. O’Neil stroked in breaks of 73, 101 and 120On route to victory and spoke to howeveryoulikebreak.com reporter Curtis Braithwaite after the match and said ” It was so strange i just felt really relaxed out there and wasn’t nervous at all. I’ve been practicing so hard since qualifying from q school and i’m giving it everything this time because in the past i’ve not done the right things and got what i deserved but i’m over the moon with this victory”.
Mark King (pictured below) won the battle of the top 32 seeds as he came through a 4-1 winner against Martin Gould. Former Irish open champion King is looking for a positive start to a big season for him and spoke to howeveryoulikebreak.com reporter Curtis Braithwaite after the match and said ” I only got back from Vegas a week ago so my preparation wasn’t the best so i’m happy with the win, We both looked rusty out there so a few more days work on the practice table before the international championship qualifiers start is a must for me but i’m just happy to be through”.
Reigning German masters champion Kyren Wilson (pictured below) got his season off to a great start with a fine 4-1 victory over Fergal O’Brien. Kyren was in fine break building form today making breaks of 54,56,63 and 83 on route to victory and will now face Xiao Guodong in the last 64 in Riga.
There was also great victories for Anthony Hamilton, Joe Perry and Li Hang all pictured below.
