However, the last day of the first phase saw the upset of the tournament so far as Si Jiahui of China once again got the better of world number four Englishman Shaun Murphy with a dramatic 10-9 win.

Si had beaten Murphy in the 2021 UK Championship as an amateur, after which the latter frustratingly said Si "shouldn’t even be in the building", causing controversy.

Murphy later apologised for the outcry.

On Thursday, the Chinese held his nerve to win the deciding frame in what was a nail-biter.  

Meanwhile, Mark Selby of England survived a scare to reach the second round.

After taking an overnight lead of 6-3, the world number two fought hard to beat qualifier Matthew Selt 10-8 at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield.

The first round started with the legendary Ronnie O'Sullivan of England easing past Chinese Pang Junxu 10-7.

O'Sullivan will face Iranian Hossein Vafaei in the second round as he is looking to be the first player to win eight world titles in the modern era.

On Wednesday (April 19), Scottish qualifier Anthony McGill stunned upset - first of the World Championship - former champion Judd Trump of England 10-6 to reach the second round.

Robert Milkins edged Joe Perry 10-9 in the all-English tie to reach the second round in sensational fashion.

Milkins, who was not on his A game on the first day was down 7-2, but won eight of the next 10 frames to seal the victory.

World number six Neil Robertson of Australia had an easy route to the next round, defeating China’s Wu Yize 10-3.

Belgian world number nine Luca Bercel will face Welshman and world number eight Mark Williams after edging past England star Ricky Walden 10-9.

The second round will be best of 25 frames and will start with O'Sullivan taking on Vafaei tomorrow.