Welsh Open 2014: O'Sullivan makes strong start in Newport

Ronnie O'Sullivan eased past Sheffield amateur Mitchell Travis in the first round of the Welsh Open in Newport.

The reigning world and Masters champion won 4-1 to set up a second-round clash with Barry Pinches, a 4-1 winner against Nigel Bond.

Defending champion Stephen Maguire lost the first frame to Elliot Slessor but recovered quickly to win 4-1.

Ali Carter, the 2009 champion, was in clinical form as he beat Andrew Norman 4-1 with a 115 break along the way.

But 2003 UK champion Matthew Stevens had to battle all the way against Adam Wicheard, the Welshman winning 4-3 with a 50 break in the decider - his third half-century of the match.

China's Ding Junhui made a 121 break in the first frame against Gary Wilson, completing a 4-2 win with runs of 57, 77 and 82.

Scott Donaldson, the hotly tipped youngster from Perth, claimed a notable scalp with a 4-2 win over world number 12 Robert Milkins.

Jimmy Robertson beat Belgian prospect Luca Brecel 4-2 and there were wins by the same scoreline for Gerard Greene, David Gilbert and Sam Baird against Li Yan, Duane Jones and Robbie Williams respectively.

Andrew Higginson beat Martin O'Donnell 4-1 including a break of 100 and Jamie Cope hammered Ryan Clark by the same scoreline, while Andrew Pagett inflicted the day's only whitewash on Marcus Campbell.

Mike Dunn beat Aditya Mehta 4-3 and Ian Burns edged out Yu De Lu, also in a decider.