Red-hot Kyren Wilson continued his fine play as he defeated Liang Wenbo 6-3 to win their first-round tussle at the Shanghai Masters.

‘The Warrior’ is riding the crest of a wave after winning the Paul Hunter Classic in Germany and the Six Red World Championship in Bangkok. He lost an edgy opening frame to Liang 62-49 in Shanghai but it was not a sign of things to come.

The duo would go on to compile seven breaks of 50 or more, including a century each, in the remaining eight frames of their match. Break of 60, 61 and 73 helped Wilson come from behind to lead 3-1 at the interval but Liang wasn’t about to crumble.

The world’s number 18 responded with a skillfully crafted 94 break to get back to within a frame at 3-2. Arguably the decisive frame came next, with Wilson potting the final back to nick it 61-59.

The Kettering cueman then made a 100-break to move within one of victory but Liang responded in kind with a 128 contribution of his own to move to 5-3 down. Both players had their chances in frame nine, Liang faltering when he got in the balls and allowing Wilson to come to the table for a decisive 88 break to win the frame and match.

Wilson now faces a mouth-watering second-round game against Judd Trump. Ranked number eight in the world, last season’s Dafabet Masters runner-up Wilson is bidding to become the first player since John Higgins in 2001 to win three consecutive tour events.

Meanwhile, Anthony McGill is 2.20 to win his opener against Yan Bingtao on Tuesday.