Stuart Bingham, Judd Trump and Ding Junhui progress in Shanghai
Last Updated: 17/09/15 5:39pm
Defending Shanghai Masters champion Stuart Bingham breezed into the quarter-finals with a 5-1 win against Mike Dunn as John Higgins and Shaun Murphy were dumped out.
Reigning world champion Bingham was in complete control against Dunn, who only managed a highest score of 61 in the match, to take a spot in the last eight.
The performance highlights a return to form for the 39-year-old, given he has had a slow start to the season and failed to make it beyond the last 32 before this.
"It was a good performance, my safety was really good," he told the official World Snooker website. "I kept Mike on the baulk cushion and got my chances that way.
"I'm trying to forget about the pressure of being world champion and just getting on with this tournament. I'll need to improve my break-building but I've got as much chance as anyone of winning it."
Martin Gould is up next for Bingham after he stunned Higgins 5-3, with a highest break of 92.
Kyren Wilson is through to the quarter-finals of a ranking event for the first time after beating Michael Holt 5-1, Mark Williams enjoyed a 5-3 win over Jamie Cope and Mark Davis saw off Murphy by the same scoreline.
Mark Allen had few troubles against David Grace, running out a 5-1 victor, but Judd Trump and Ding Junhui were both pushed all the way as they claimed 5-4 wins over Matthew Selt and Ryan Day respectively.
