Night night in Newport

One thing you can usually gurantee with snooker is a late night finish - but not in Newport.

The opening day's action at the Welsh Open was wrapped up as the clock just passed 8.30pm, thanks to the much-maligned best-of-seven-frame format and the favourites largely running the show.

The introductory exchanges of this year's tournament was dominated by those you would expect.

Defending champion Ding Junui played well in spells to beat Dechawat Poomjaeng 4-2. But he said world number one and recent winner of three ranking events Mark Selby would be the man to beat this week and it's difficult to argue.

Selby beat Steve Davis 4-0 and completed the match with a devastating pot success rate of 98 per cent. At one stage in the clinching frame, this was still up at 99 per cent.

These weren't the only favourites winning the day. Judd Trump wasn't pressed all the way but beat off Mike Dunn 4-0. John Higgins swept past TV debutant Gareth Allen 4-1, home hope Mark Williams showed signs of a return to form to beat Liu Chuang by the same scoreline and Dominic Dale brushed past fellow Welshman Daniel Wells.

The quality so far in Newport can hardly be questioned but it's clear that that the drama will have to wait. There was a good turnout of fans at the venue. They'll have to hang fire for the real gripping action...