Confident Shaun Murphy brushes past Ricky Walden

The 2008 champion progressed with highest breaks of 51, 55 and 114.

"I knew I had to play well," said Murphy afterwards. "He plays a similar game to me so I was excited to play him - on another day, he would have won 6-1, 6-2."

He next faces Mark King.

In the other afternoon match, Martin Gould had the edge over Xiao Guodong, winning three frames in a row to secure the victory.

Mark Joyce came through 6-4 against Lyu Haotian in the evening session.

Shaun Murphy 6-1 Ricky Walden

Martin Gould 6-4 Xiao Guodong

Mark Joyce 6-4 Lyu Haotian