Welsh Open snooker: Former champion Shaun Murphy knocked out by Barry Pinches

Former world champion Shaun Murphy went out of the Welsh Open after losing a final-frame decider against fellow Englishman Barry Pinches in round one.

Pinches trailed 3-2 and needed snookers in the final frame, but held his nerve to beat the 2020 Welsh Open winner 4-3.

Reigning champion Robert Milkins, who defeated Murphy in last year's final, edged past Jamie Jones 4-3.

Welshman Jones hit breaks of 72, 136 and 70 to lead 3-2 but Milkins hit back to progress.

Three-time world champion Mark Williams secured his place in the second round with a 4-2 win over John Astley.

China's Ding Junhui, who won this tournament in 2012, beat England's Jenson Kendrick 4-2.

Ding's compatriot Zhang Anda, ranked 13th in the world, saw off American Ahmed Aly Elsayed 4-1, while world number 17 Jack Lisowski beat fellow Englishman Oliver Brown 4-2.

Australia's 2010 world champion Neil Robertson racked up breaks of 50, 68, 57 and 103 in his 4-1 victory over Wales' Jackson Page.

Barry Hawkins compiled a break of 142 - the highest in Llandudno so far - on his way to a 4-0 win over He Guoqiang, while Welshman Alfie Davies beat Scotland's Liam Graham 4-1.