Defending champion Michael White made a winning start at the Paul Hunter Classic in Germany as he defeated Thor Chuan Leong 4-2.

White came out best at the Stadthalle in Fürth in what was an often scrappy affair. Both players had chances to win the opening frame but it was the Welshman that took it and he sneaked another one 56-47 in frame two.

Leong, ranked 124th in the world, then compiled breaks of 58 and 62 to impressively level the match at 2-2. Frame five would prove pivotal, White once more prevailing on the colours as he grabbed it 59-45 this time. With his tail up, White then knocked in his highest contribution of the match, a 67, to complete his victory.

White won the title in 2017, beating Shaun Murphy 4-2 in the final. It is one of two ranking event wins for the 27-year-old Welsh cueman, who also landed the Indian Open in 2015, brushing aside Ricky Walden in the final 5-0. He’ll be looking for a decent run in Germany this weekend after a relatively slow start to the new season.

White was knocked out in the second round of the Riga Masters last month before failing to qualify for the Yushan World Open in China. Ranked 30th in the world, White is set to do battle with 78th ranked Allan Taylor next up in Fürth.

Former world champion Shaun Murphy meanwhile has an assignment against Irish veteran Fergal O’Brien on Saturday. The Magician is 1.30 to win that tussle, with O’Brien 3.30 to cause the upset.