China's Ding suffers first round exit at Welsh Open

Ding Junhui is seen during the game, Feb 15, 2017. [Photo/Xinhua]

LONDON - China's Ding Junhui crashed out of the first round of the Welsh Open snooker tournament in Cardiff on Tuesday.

World number five Ding, who won the event in 2012, suffered a 4-2 reverse against Finland's Robin Hull, who was ranked 53rd in the world.

Despite defeat, Ding spent time after the match signing autographs with a group of around 40 Chinese fans from Cardiff University.

Four-time champion Ronnie O'Sullivan made a strong start to the defence of his Welsh Open title as he beat Tom Ford 4-1.

Judd Trump looked in fine form as he saw off Andrew Higginson 4-1 with top breaks of 102, 52, 140 and 56.

World Champion Selby also eased through, beating Liam Highfield 4-0 with a top run of 89.

"I haven't done well in the last few tournaments so I'm keen to get back on track," said world number one Selby. "You are bound to have a few blips during the season - and I've lost to players in very good form in the last few events."

Home favorite Mark Williams suffered a first round exit as he went down 4-3 against world number 115 Elliot Slessor.

China's rising star Yan Bingtao continued to impress as he beat Daniel Wells 4-1 with a top run of 68, while Mark Allen saw off Sydney Wilson 4-0.