'The Whirlwind' is currently ranked 48th in the world but will rise significantly if he can get past the in-form Bristolian later in the week.

Another experienced campaigner, Mark King, also progressed through his wildcard match in beating Zhu Yinghui by the same scoreline. Graeme Dott awaits.

Nottingham's Michael Holt was unable to make the cut, though, losing 5-3 to Li Hang - the local favourite rewarded with a tie against world number one Mark Selby.

In the morning's first-round match, Neil Robertson edged a tight affair with Jamie Cope 5-4 to move through to the last 16.

In this afternoon's wildcard matches, Peter Ebdon beat Lu Haotian 5-2 to set up a first-round meeting with Matthew Stevens.

Ben Woollaston's reward for a 5-1 victory over Chen Feilong is a first-round contest against China's Ding Junhui.

Lu Ning negotiated a tricky qualifier against Jamie Jones, prevailing 5-3. He will next take on 2005 world champion Shaun Murphy.

Two first round matches also took place on Monday. Australian former world champion Neil Robertson edged a tight affair with Jamie Cope 5-4 to move through to the last 16, where he will take on Stephen Hendry.

The seven-time world champion was also taken all the way by Martin Gould, eventually coming through a 5-4 winner.