Judd Trump made short work of Rhys Clark as he cruised to a 5-0 first-round success in the Evergrande China Championship in Guangzhou.

Trump was at his flowing best in dispatching the Welshman, rattling in three half-century breaks as he raced into a four-frame advantage. The world number five then notched a break of 102 in frame five to complete a fine success.

Stuart Bingham, meanwhile, won the battle of former world champions when he edged out veteran Peter Ebdon 5-3.

Bingham starting in promising fashion, with a 113 break to take the opener, but it was often scrappy. The pair traded the first six frames, with Bingham’s 71 in frame six the highest break after the opener.

Having fallen 4-2 behind, Ebdon duly knocked out in a 117 break to come back to within striking distance, but Bingham did just enough to land the crucial eighth frame and move into round two.

Neil Robertson had a break of 120 as he overcame Gerard Greene 5-2, while Dafabet Masters champion Mark Allen had too much for Matthew Selt in a 5-1 success.

Former winner John Higgins had to battle back from 0-2 down in overcoming Allan Taylor 5-3.

The ‘Wizard of Wishaw’ was not at his best in a scrappy encounter although he maintained his hopes with a fighting display.

Irishman Fergal O’Brien rolled back the years as he defeated Ali Carter 5-1 in a high-quality encounter.

O’Brien had breaks of 88, 121 and 71, while Carter registered only 15 points in five frames and, remarkably, compiled a 144 total clearance in frame four for his only strike.

Stephen Maguire was also an early casualty, losing out 5-2 to Scott Donaldson. World champion Mark Williams is 1.12 to defeat veteran Ken Doherty on Tuesday, with the Dubliner priced at 5.25.