Breaking news: Duo through in York

Bexhill-based Jimmy Robertson saw off Zhou Yuelong 6-1, while Mark Davis, from St Leonards, eventually overcame Jak Jones 6-2 in round one of the sport’s second most prestigious tournament.

Davis, the world number 19, prevailed in a lengthy, hard-fought contest against 110th-ranked Welsh player Jones to set up a second round meeting with Liam Highfield on Sunday night.

The 42-year-old began the match with a break of 51 en route to clinching the opening frame and although Jones took the second with a run of 93, Davis clinched the next two with best efforts of 36 and 35 to lead 3-1 at the interval.

Jones captured frame five aided by a 62 before Davis edged a tight sixth frame after an opening 42 to lead 4-2. Davis also claimed frame seven with a top run of 37 and sealed victory by winning a long eighth frame on the pink following an initial break of 60.

Robertson was victorious in somewhat quicker time against 16-year-old Chinese prodigy Yuelong and will next face two-time former world champion Mark Williams on Saturday night.

The world number 47 edged the opener on a respotted black and won another tight frame to lead 2-0. The next three were rather more clearcut as Robertson established a 5-0 cushion aided by breaks of 73 and 48.

World number 81 Yuelong staved off the whitewash by edging frame six on another respot after beginning it with a 67, but Robertson came through a long seventh frame on the pink helped by an earlier run of 40 to cross the finish line.