Holder Mark Allen safely into last 32 at World Open in China

Defending champion Mark Allen safely progressed to the last 32 of the World Open in China as he defeated England's Mike Dunn 5-2 on Monday.

Allen, who is aiming to win the ranking tournament for the third straight time, will face former world champion Mark Williams in the next round.

Welshman Williams earned the contest with Allen in Haikou by beating Chinese teenager Yuan Sijun 5-1 on Tuesday.

Allen has struggled to produce his best form so far this season.

The 28-year-old Northern Irishman has reached just one major quarter-final during the current campaign, when he had a strong run at the UK Championship in York, and has consequently dropped out of the world's top 10.

But at the tournament where he has landed the only major ranking titles of his career, Allen is looking to step up his performance.

"I've got a good record here and I want to keep it going but I need to play better," Allen said.

"I might play Mark Williams next so it doesn't get any easier considering Mark's a two-time world champion and one of the greatest in the game."