World quantity two Mark Allen, nevertheless, exited the event as he misplaced 5-1 to Xiao Guodong of China.
It appeared like Allen would additionally stage a comeback after falling behind 2-0, when he hit a 104 break to take the third body, however Xiao received the subsequent three to progress.
Former world primary John Higgins was additionally knocked out as he misplaced 5-2 to Jimmy Robertson.
Scot Higgins, who has not received a rating occasion because the Gamers Championship in 2021, by no means recovered from going 3-0 down and should depend on outcomes elsewhere to maintain a spot on the planet’s high 16.
There have been additionally defeats for Ali Carter and Barry Hawkins.
World quantity 10 Carter was crushed 5-3 by fellow Englishman Elliot Slessor, whereas Sixteenth-ranked Hawkins misplaced 5-1 to Scotland’s Scott Donaldson.
The Saudi Arabia Masters, which has been given the unofficial title of being the game’s ‘fourth main’ by organisers, is the largest ever event staged exterior the UK.
With a £2.3m prize fund and £500,000 winner’s cheque, solely the World Championship in Sheffield is comparable.
