Mark Allen v Liam Highfield: Masters champion Allen eases into last 16

Resuming 6-3 clear overnight, the 16th seed Allen had few problems in completing a routine victory that secures a meeting with Joe Perry - a surprise 10-4 winner over world champion Mark Selby - in the second round in Sheffield.

In a match lasting just over four hours, the Northern Irishman produced classy breaks of 88, 56, 80, 52, 89, 51 and 50 with the highlight of Highfield's first trip to the Sheffield event a couple of 99 breaks in the second and tenth frames.

Allen starts out his best-of-25 frame last-16 match with qualifier Perry on Thursday afternoon at 1pm.

They are due to play to a finish on Friday evening for a place in the last eight.

In Monday morning's other match, former finalist Barry Hawkins opened up a 5-3 lead over Stuart Carrington before they play to a finish from 7pm in the evening.