IAN Preece recorded one of his most impressive wins in recent memory as he cruised past China’s Mei Xi Wen to reach round two of the Dafabet English Open, writes Luke Baker.

The veteran Newport cueman looked comfortable throughout, edging a tightly-contested first frame at the Metrodome Leisure Complex in Barnsley before compiling a fluent 131 to double his advantage.

That was to be his only sizeable break of the match but steady smaller contributions helped the world number 79 prevail against a man seven places above him in the rankings.

The 35-year-old will now face Indian potter Aditya Mehta in round two on Wednesday after he thrashed Sam Craigie 4-0.

However, there was no joy for Newbridge’s Lee Walker, who crashed out at the first hurdle.

He felt the full wrath of 2015 world champion Stuart Bingham, with the Englishman making breaks of 112, 65 and 104 en route to a 4-0 triumph.

But 41-year-old Walker was still feeling positive about his snooker after a recent run to the third round of the World Open.

“With my results over the last few weeks, you’d have probably taken those for losing this one,” he said.

“It was always going to be tough because Stuart is a great player.

“A month ago, maybe he was struggling a little bit but his form over the last few weeks has been very good.

“Stuart looked very good out there and he could have had two 147s.

“When it’s a best-of-seven and someone is playing like that then it’s very difficult.

“In practice and leading up (to Barnsley), I’ve hardly missed a ball.

“I’ve had some good results this season and beaten Mark Selby, so I’m feeling great.

“But in the first two frames I didn’t pot a ball and you’re up against it from there.

“I probably missed more balls there than I have in the last couple of weeks, but that’s the game.”

Watch the English Open live on Eurosport 1 and Quest, featuring daily studio analysis from Ronnie O’Sullivan, Jimmy White and Neal Foulds.