Hong Kong's Ng On Yee began the defence of her Women's World Snooker Championships title with a comfortable victory over Poland's Katarzyna Bialik ©Getty Images

Hong Kong's Ng On Yee began the defence of her Women's World Snooker Championships title with a comfortable victory over Poland's Katarzyna Bialik on the opening day of the tournament in Malta.

Ng, the world number one, was not at her best but proved far too strong for the Polish player as she claimed a 3-0 win in the Group A encounter at the Dolmen Hotel in St Pauls Bay.

The 27-year-old pre-tournament favourite scored over 50 points in each of the three frames on her way to a dominant success.

She made a break of 49 in the third to wrap up victory in style.

It proved to be a straightforward first day for the seeded players as England's Reanne Evans won her Group B opener, beating Fatima Rugoni of Brazil by the same 3-0 scoreline.

Evans found her range from the outset and produced a highest break of 61 in the opening frame.

The top seeded players were in fine form on day one of the event in Malta ©WLBSL
The top seeded players were in fine form on day one of the event in Malta ©WLBSL

Belgium's Wendy Jans, another player topped to contend for the title, also clinched victory without dropping a frame in her clash with Poland's Ewelina Piślewska.

Jans moved straight to the top of Group F with a 3-0 triumph, which included a best break of 50 in the last.

The event is due to take place alongside the first World Snooker Federation (WSF) World Championships and conclude on Saturday (March 17).

The four semi-finalists will also be invited to compete at the World Snooker Championship at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield in April and May.

The victor in the women's competition, where the prize fund is €6,000 (£5,300/$7,300), will also secure a place in qualifying for the World Snooker Championship.