International Championship snooker: Matthew Stevens, David Gilbert and Anthony McGill claim victories to qualify
Two-time world finalist Matthew Stevens showed his enduring class as he booked his trip to the International Championship in China with a 6-4 win over Liu Hongyu on Tuesday.
The Welshman fought back from losing the first two frames after Liu made 110 in the second frame with breaks of 54, 61, 73 and 50 securing his place in the last 64 of the event in the Chinese city of Tianjin (5-12 November live on Eurosport and discovery+ ).
He was joined in the second round by David Gilbert, who enjoyed a 6-0 whitewash win over James Cahill.
The former World Championship semi-finalist made 76 and two 60 breaks to advance from qualifying at Ponds Forge in Sheffield.
Scotland's Anthony McGill is also through after he claimed the final four frames in a 6-3 win over world seniors champion Alfie Burden.
McGill finished with breaks of 87, 67 and 61 to progress, but former Welsh Open champion Joe Perry is out after suffering a 6-3 loss to Dylan Emery.
Former World Open finalist Thepchaiya Un-Nooh began his day with a comfortable 6-1 win over Andrew Higginson.
Qualifying for the International Championship runs for the rest of the week in Sheffield before concluding on Saturday with Judd Trump defending the title at the finals venue in November.
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