Merchant makes flying start

Merchant, a former Asian champion, first routed Bangladesh’s top player Moffazal Hossain 4-0 with breaks of 46 and 36. Later in the day, the Mumbai cueist touched great form with a superb break of 91 against Singapore’s Tommy Boon Chin. He posted 4-1 win and also cued healthy breaks of 68, and twice of 36. He could have taken the 91 break to the maximum but broke down on an awkward tweak on the side cusion.

Shah was helpless against host Nation’s Chan Kwok Ming and went down 0-4 in the best-of-seven-frame contest.