GWENT’S Mark Williams is safely through to round two of the BetVictor Welsh Open snooker after a 4-0 whitewash over China's Lyu Haotian in Cardiff this morning.

The tournament, which was held in Newport until last year, started at 10.30am this morning at the Motorpoint Arena and Williams was the second man through after Northern Ireland's Mark Allen.

Fellow home favourite Jamie Jones also enjoyed a 4-0 win against Christopher Norbury.

Carmarthen’s Matthew Stevens and Newport’s Andrew Pagett get going this afternoon.

While Cwmbran’s Jak Jones and fellow Welshmen Ryan Day, Lee Walker, Daniel Wells, Duane Jones, Jamie Rhys Clarke and Michael White have to wait until tomorrow.

White, a 23-year-old from Neath, has jumped to 25th in the world rankings after some fine results this season, notably beating Neil Robertson to reach the quarter-finals of the Shanghai Masters.

“I’m going in the right direction,” said White, who reached the quarter-finals of the 2013 World Championship, beating Williams on his Crucible debut. “I am knocking on the door of getting to the later stages of tournaments and it will happen for me before

The tournament at runs until Sunday when Ronnie O'Sullivan will be out to defend the title he won at the Newport Centre last year.

The trophy has not been won by a Welshman since Williams’ triumph in 1999.

The final is sold out and tickets for all other sessions are selling fast so fans are strongly urged to book tickets on 02920 22 44 88.