Welsh Open 2021: Mark Williams and Ronnie O'Sullivan reach last 16

Mark Williams won the Welsh Open in 1996 and 1999 and remains the only Welshman to win the title.

The 2021 BetVictor Welsh Open
Dates: 15-21 February Venue: Celtic Manor Resort, Newport
Coverage: Watch live on BBC Two Wales, BBC iPlayer, BBC Red Button, BBC Sport website and the BBC Sport app. Highlights on BBC Two Wales, online and the BBC Red Button.

Home favourite Mark Williams is through to the last 16 of the Welsh Open after defeating England's Joe Perry 4-2 in Thursday's morning session in Newport.

But his compatriot Ryan Day, winner of the Snooker Shoot Out last week, is out after a 4-1 defeat to Shaun Murphy.

World number one Judd Trump made a surprise exit after he was beaten 4-2 by world number 38 Hossein Vafaei.

Scotland's John Higgins is also out after losing 4-3 to England's Ali Carter.

Mark Selby, who lost the Shoot Out final to Day, is through to round four after a 4-3 win over Joe O'Connor.

Masters champion Yan Bingtaob also progressed at the Celtic Manor after a 4-1 win against Xiao Guodong.

Scotland's Stephen Maguire secured his spot with a 4-2 victory over England's Matthew Selt while Ronnie O'Sullivan cruised through with a quickfire 4-0 win over Martin Gould secured with a rapid break of 138.