Shaun Murphy knocked out by amateur Barry Pinches in Welsh Open first round

Murphy was beaten 4-3 by 53-year-old Barry Pinches, who is currently off the tour and only found out he was playing in the event two days ago as a late replacement.

World number six Murphy blasted the inclusion of amateurs in professional tournaments after his first-round defeat to Si Jiahui in the UK Championship in 2021.

Pinches fought back from behind three times and required a snooker on the blue in the final frame to claim one of the best wins of his long career.

Pinches told wst.tv: “I thought it was all over, but managed to lay a good snooker and then knocked in the last three balls.

“It was a great game, I enjoyed it and it’s a fantastic win for me. I don’t play all the time now, but I have been practising because I am just back from the (World Snooker Federation) event in Albania.”

Mark Allen battled back from the brink of defeat to overcome China’s Cao Yupeng in a final-frame decider and reach the next stage.

Allen was staring at a 4-1 defeat as his opponent led 3-1 and looked to be on a match-winning break, but he ran aground on 68 and Allen nervelessly responded with 70 to take the frame and launch his fightback.

Defending champion Robert Milkins edged past Jamie Jones 4-3, Neil Robertson continued to show signs of a return to form with a 4-1 win over Jackson Page, while Luca Brecel, Jack Lisowski, Mark Williams, Barry Hawkins, Kyren Wilson and John Higgins were among the other winners.