SNOOKER: Mark Allen crashes out of World Grand Prix

The Northern Ireland player had taken a 2-0 lead over Thepchaiya Un-Nooh with breaks of 53 and 89 but Thepchaiya levelled the match at 2-2 and the Thai player, best known for missing the final black of a 147 attempt at the UK Championship earlier this season, showed his break-building ability again with runs of 69 and 75 to win 4-2.

Judd Trump and John Higgins were also second-round casualties, with

Trump facing world champion Stuart Bingham in a high-profile match-up early in the tournament at Venue Cymru and despite an 85 break in the second frame, the Bristolian was up against it throughout.

Bingham, who had taken the opener, responded with 57 and 69 to win the third and 72 in the next and though Trump got another frame on the board, a fourth Bingham half-century wrapped up a 4-2 win.

Higgins lost 4-3 to Ryan Day in a match featuring three centuries and an 80 break in the space of four frames.

Having lost the opener, Higgins levelled with a 107 but trailed 3-2 after Day made 104 and 103 either side of the Scot’s 80. The last two were tighter but Welshman Day prevailed.

Ding Junhui knocked in breaks of 78, 63 and 89 in a 4-0 win over Peter Ebdon.