Zhang Anda edges out Zhao Xintong in China Open thriller

World number 19 Zhang Anda caused an upset in the first round of the China Open, defeating world number three Zhao Xintong 6-5. The match concluded with a respotted black, a rule invoked to determine the winner when scores are tied at the end of a frame. Zhang initially trailed 3-0 but mounted a comeback to lead 5-4. Zhao, last year's world champion, won the following frame to force a decider. In the final frame, Zhang led 57-0 before Zhao fought back to level the scores, leaving both players to contest the black. Zhang eventually potted the black to force the re-spot, where he successfully secured the victory. Zhang, who holds one career tournament title, will face England's Chris Wakelin in the next round. In another notable first-round result, world number five John Higgins was defeated 6-4 by 2015 world champion Stuart Bingham.