Ding Junhui has won his opening match of this year’s Six-red World Championship but was made to work for his victory over Mohamed Khairy.

World number six Ding knows exactly what it takes to win at Bangkok Convention Centre, as he claimed overall glory just two years ago, but he did not have things all his own way against Egyptian player Khairy, who has not held a place on the professional tour since 2014.

Ding eventually did prevail 5-3, but he will have to up his game if he wants to go far in this year’s competition.

The other match taking place in Group E on Monday saw home favourite Akani Songsermsawad’s clash with Englishman Jimmy Robertson and it was indeed the Thai player who prevailed, edging the match 5-4.

In Group F Scotland’s Anthony McGill, who has struggled to find his best form at the start of the season, losing in qualifying for both the World and Indian Opens, got off to a winning start by beating Zhou Yuelong of China 5-3.

England’s Michael Holt was also victorious by that margin as he defeated compatriot Joe Perry.

Belgium’s Luca Brecel has moved straight to the top of Group F with a 5-2 victory over Australian Kurt Dunham, while another one of the Thai players, Noppon Saengkham, edged out the vastly experienced Marco Fu 5-4.

The second round of group matches will be played on Tuesday, with some of the highlights including Ding against Songsermsawad in Group E and McGill’s top of the table showdown with Holt in Group F.