Snooker: Fu goes through

Marco Fu made a winning start to the China Open in Shanghai.

The Hong Kong player beat Scotland's Marcus Campbell 5-3 for a place in the last 32.

After storming into snooker's elite top 16 in just two seasons, Fu has dropped to 24th on the latest provisional world list.

He said: "Of course I'm under pressure here, but it's nowhere as bad this time as it was a couple of years ago.

"The people don't expect as much from me now. I felt quite relaxed at times out there and I've decided to enjoy myself more."

And despite throwing away a couple of frames which enabled Campbell to stay in contention, Fu finished the stronger to set up a meeting with former Benson & Hedges Masters champion Matthew Stevens on Tuesday.

Joe Perry, of Wisbech, became the first player through to the last 16 after coming from behind to beat Dubliner Fergal O'Brien 5-4 and now faces Ken Doherty or Tony Drago.

O'Brien, successful in each of their previous four meetings, was on course for victory number five over Perry when, assisted by a 139 total clearance, he moved 4-2 ahead.

The Irishman could not apply the finishing touch, though, as Perry reeled off the closing three frames.