Allen knocked out of Shanghai Masters

Wales' Matthew Stevens proved too strong for Ireland’s Mark Allen at the Roewe Shanghai Masters today.

The World Snooker Championship semi-finalist from Antrim failed to get his game going and lost 5-2.

Mark Williams, another Welshman, gained a 5-3 win against Belfast’s Joe Swail in the final match of the day.

Ronnie O'Sullivan made a bright start to his Roewe Shanghai Masters campaign as he eliminated Graeme Dott without dropping a frame.

The world number one finished with a break of 101 as he won 5-0.

In the early session, Shaun Murphy made light work of Michael Holt, winning 5-1.

He was joined in the second round by China's Ding Junhui - who pleased the home crowd by overcoming England's Stephen Lee 5-2, making a break of 132 in the second frame.

Ali Carter finally held off a spirited challenge from Tian Pengfei to win 5-3, while Jamie Cope sneaked a 5-4 success against Joe Perry.