Murphy in control

Defending champion Shaun Murphy made the first century break of this year's Pukka Pies UK Snooker Championship as he seized the lead in his opening-round match against Gerard Greene.

Murphy was not at his best but established a 5-3 lead in the best-of-17-frames contest.

The 27-year-old Englishman beat Hong Kong cueman Marco Fu 10-9 in an epic final last year at the International Centre in Telford, and is bidding to become just the third man to successfully defend the UK title after Stephen Hendry and Steve Davis.

Northern Irishman Greene nevertheless gave himself some hope for this evening's concluding session by finishing the afternoon with a gutsy break of 96.

Mark Williams was on course to confirm his place in the second round this evening after the 34-year-old Welshman opened up a 6-2 lead over Scotland's Graeme Dott.

Williams made six breaks above 50 in the battle between the two former world champions.

Stephen Maguire, the 2004 UK champion and 2007 runner-up, and Michael Holt were level at 4-4 after their opening session.

Maguire elected to play in Telford after being urged to do so by his grandfather, who died this week.

The 28-year-old Scot developed a 4-1 lead but Nottingham's Holt fought back well to give himself a decent chance of causing an upset.

Mark King moved to within three frames of the second round, the 35-year-old Essex potter taking a 6-2 lead over Nottingham's Anthony Hamilton after an attritional session.