Ireland’s Ken Doherty will be hoping he can roll back the years to shock Chris Wakelin during the first round of the English Open. The 49-year-old is the 2.80 outsider for Monday’s clash despite a routine win last week in qualifying for the International Championship.

Doherty beat Scotland’s Chris Totten 6-4 but his form before that was patchy and Wakelin will be determined to lay down a marker.

The 26-year-old also qualified for the first round of the International Championship but he impressed after reaching the fourth round of the Paul Hunter Classic in August.

Wakelin remains the favourite, while Liang Wenbo is also expected to cruise home during his match against England’s Gary Wilson. Wenbo is 1.60, with Wilson 2.30 with Dafabet.

Scott Donaldson is also in action and the Scot will be one of the first players in action against Allan Taylor.

Hong Kong’s Marco Fu remains a 1.40 favourite as he prepares to meet Mark Joyce, while a closer contest is expected between Oliver Lines and Joe O’Connor. Fu has yet to fire this season but he has shown glimpses of his best form and he is 5.50 to win 4-0.

David Lilley and Tom Ford will also do battle in an all English clash, while Craig Steadman also returns to the table. He takes on Northern Ireland’s Joe Swail before Cyrpus’ Michael Georgiou takes part in the final match of the morning session.

Georgiou will take on Scotland’s Eden Sharav in a contest he is expected to win.