Ding in action in the game.

Ding Junhui came through a tough test against Michael Georgiou in Yushan as he got his Hanteng Autos World Open campaign underway.

The Chinese potter, who attracted a large home following for the match, trailed in the early stages. 2008 World Under-21 Champion Georgiou made 71 in the opener and went on to establish a 2-1 lead. However, Ding responded with breaks of 71 and 67, as he moved ahead for the first time. At 4-3, Ding clinically settled the match, making a 117 century break to run out a 5-3 winner.

World number 14 Barry Hawkins looked set for an early exit at 4-2 down against Robbie Williams. However, a resilient Hawkins dug in with contributions of 72, 40 and 59 to secure the final three frames for a 5-4 win.

Things were a lot more comfortable for Shaun Murphy and Mark Williams as they both sealed 5-1 victories. In a last 128 match which was held over to the venue, Murphy was rarely troubled by opponent Sanderson Lam. He made breaks of 61 and 75 as he secured a clash with Cao Yupeng tomorrow.

Williams looked to be in fine form against Andrew Higginson as he knocked in two centuries on his way to the 5-1 win.

Alan McManus won the final four frames to come through a difficult tie with Jamie Cope. At 3-1 down, the Scot made 74 in the fifth, before pinching the sixth frame on the black to draw level. McManus took the final two frames to seal his place in the last 32.

Michael White's difficult start to the season continued against Norwegian Kurt Maflin. He led 4-2, but lost the final three frames to suffer to a 5-4 defeat. Despite making two centuries in Yushan, it's the second event in a row that White exits after his first match at the venue. Maflin took the final frame on the black to secure a spot in the last 32 against Xiao Guodong.

Ryan Day claimed his place in the last 32 with a 5-1 win over Allan Taylor. He'll face Barry Hawkins on Wednesday.

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