Shaun Murphy is hoping that the Indian Open will give him the opportunity to find some form after a poor season so far.

A 4-2 win over Lee Walker in Kochi took Murphy through to the second round where he will play Chris Wakelin. Murphy is 1.44 to win with his fellow Englishman 2.70.

Murphy did reach the final of the Scottish Open but overall the season has been one featuring some dispiriting defeats – including one in the qualifiers of the China Open – which means he misses out on the trip to Beijing.

Murphy admits time is running out before the World Championship in Sheffield and hopes that a run in India will get him back into form.

He began well at least, getting a break of 93 to clinch the match against Walker and he hopes that is the first of many.

He said: “The way my season has gone, it’s just about getting wins for me.

“Each match is like a pint of blood, every shot is difficult. I have only got this tournament and Gibraltar left to get ready for the Crucible.

“I am trying desperately to turn my season around. It’s like a cruise ship – the Titanic didn’t turn quickly when it needed it to. When you’re on a run of bad form it doesn’t change overnight. I have to keep trying my hardest and hope I eventually set sail.”

Also in India China’s Zhou Yuelong made the first maximum 147 break of his career but still ended up out of the tournament, beaten 4-3 by Lyu Haotian.

John Higgins is also through to the last 32 in Kochi and will play Iranian Hossein Vafaei next. Murphy is 34.00 to win the world title at the Crucible in May with Judd Trump 4.75.