Wuhan Open 2023: Jack Lisowski battles past Scott Donaldson, Mark Allen edges past Mark Joyce, Robert Milkins wins

Jack Lisowski edged past Scott Donaldson in a cagey Wuhan Open first-round clash as he prevailed 5-3 in China.

This will not be a contest best remembered for free-flowing snooker and high-scoring breaks, but the world No. 13 ultimately got the job done.

Donaldson drew first blood, despite missing several chances to winning the frame early on and allowing Lisowski a chance to steal it on the colours.

He set up the second frame with a fluke after Lisowski conceded with a red left on the table, meaning fears of a shock had set in.

Lisowski managed to halve the deficit after potting a troublesome yellow in a tight safety contest, and left a snooker for Donaldson before going on to pot the pink and black.

There were few signs that this attritional contest was going to become more open, but Lisowski crucially levelled the scores with the snooker he needed and wrapped up the frame with the black still on the table.

There was a glimpse of Lisowski showing his best form, as an impressive break of 83 saw him move 3-2 ahead, before extending his lead with a half-century clearance.

He could not pull further clear though, and a break of 72 for Donaldson reduced the arrears and seemed to swing the momentum back in favour of the Scotsman.

But Lisowski responded in some style with some fantastic potting, finishing with the blue, pink and black after an excellent clearance on the colours.

He can now look forward to a second-round match with either Sam Craigie or Ishpreet Chadha.

Mark Allen was made to sweat by Mark Joyce, but ultimately booked his place in the second round with a 5-4 victory.

Allen edged out a nervy opening frame, before Joyce hit back by claiming the next two with impressive breaks of 75 and 74 respectively.

Allen levelled back after grinding out a scrappy frame, before Joyce restored his advantage with a half-century clearance in frame five.

The Northern Irishman drew level again, but once again, the response from Joyce was outstanding, as he moved 4-3 ahead with a break of 59.

An upset looked on the cards, until the world No. 3 turned on the style at the right time. He won the next two frames to seal a nervy victory.

Robert Milkins was also made to work hard by Hammad Miah before coming out on top in a nine-frame thriller.

Miah edged a hard-fought first frame, before Milkins restored parity with a break of 100.

Milkins took the lead after a tense third frame, before Miah turned the match on its head in frames four and five.

It looked like a shock was on the cards when a clearance of 76 moved Miah 4-2 ahead, but that proved to be a wake-up call for Milkins.

He went on to win the next three frames and claimed a break of 84 in the decider to seal a stunning comeback.

Milkins will now face Tom Ford in the second round.