Folks who follow the Vikings are sometimes prone to gloom-and-doom thinking (possibly for good reason). When good news hits the Vikings’ airwaves, people perk up.
Recently, the decision was to move on from veteran DTs Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave. The pair of trench defenders are still good ball players but didn’t fulfill the expectations that came alongside their contracts, leading Rob Brzezinski to move on via cut. Doing so carves out some cap space. What arrives as a breath of fresh air for the team is that the incoming cap influx could be more ample than originally believed.
Good News for the Vikings’ Skimpy Budget
Start off with a tip of the cap to Sean Borman, someone who focuses much of his attention on the salary cap and who writes for VT.
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He writes, “Confirmed: The #Vikings are set to be completely off the hook for Jonathan Allen’s $8M guarantee in 2026. With the #Bengals giving Allen more than $8M cash, the full offset kicks in. Minnesota avoids the $8M cash payout and banks an $8M cap credit for 2027.”
Shortly thereafter, Borman adds, “Not only is the Allen offset confirmed, but the #Vikings are also fully cleared on Javon Hargrave’s $4M guarantee now that he’s getting $13M in 2026 cash from Green Bay. That’s $12M total in future cap credits banked between the two of them.”
Oct 23, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Javon Hargrave (97) collapses the pocket while pursuing Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) during first-half action at SoFi Stadium. Hargrave’s interior pass rush forced Herbert off his spot as the Vikings’ defensive front attempted to disrupt the Chargers’ rhythm through consistent pressure. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
If I’m not mistaken, Thor Nystrom was among the first — if not the first — to note the potential offset language. He has seen the news surrounding the well-paid, veteran DTs before commenting, “Officially official.”
Finally, note that Spotrac (a salary cap website) corroborates what is circulating. The thought gets passed along on social media: “Allen has an $8M guarantee with the #Vikings that is now set to be fully offset by this Bengals deal.”
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Okay, step back to better understand where things stand.
At present, Minnesota is sitting on roughly $9.5 million in cap space. That’s a rough estimate that arrives due to the (roughly) $6 million in cap space on Over the Cap alongside the $3.5 million that still needs to be added for the Aaron Jones pay cut.
Even better for the Vikings is that there’s still more cap space to come. In particular, there’s the financial windfall (of sorts) that’s going to arrive due to pursuing a post-June 1 cut for Allen alongside Harrison Smith. Designating things as a post-June 1 cut means that the cap space is going to arrive in June. Combined, Allen and Smith are going to give back $12.5 million.
Dec 25, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones Sr. (33) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Detroit Lions in the first quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images
Furthermore, there’s good news in the updates being passed along by Borman, Nystrom, and Spotrac.
Cincinnati has scooped up Mr. Allen and Green Bay has opted for Mr. Hargrave. What makes those two realities good news for Minnesota’s front office is that those two new places of employment are taking on some of the cap charges for the veteran talents.
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In 2027, Minnesota’s cap is going to get some added credits tacked onto the pile due to the contracts that the Bengals gave to Allen and the Packers to Hargrave.
In an NFL where money is malleable and cap charges are commonly kicked into the future, Minnesota can stand a touch taller when negotiating with external talent right now since there’s future abundance that was somewhat mysterious until recently. Alternatively, the Vikings can continue with the cautious spending approach, slow-playing things while looking ahead to a more prosperous future.
The top roster needs are at corner, running back, center, punter, linebacker, and defensive tackle.
“The mile is a really cool event and it’s nice to do something different.
“I’m just really excited to learn and to move in. I’m not moving up full time, I’m going to go back to the 800m outdoors.
“I’m enjoying it so far. I think in the future I might be a great 1500m runner. So, I’m kind of dipping my toes in to see how it goes. I’m enjoying it, the training’s really good.”
With her recent indoor success, the two-time Olympian is pleased with her form heading to Torun, but insists her enjoyment remains the priority before the outdoor season.
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Reekie spoke candidly about how failing to make the 2024 Olympic 800m final pushed her to prioritise her mental health.
The 1500m heats in Torun are on Friday, with the final taking place on Sunday.
“It’s definitely getting there,” she said. “We’ll see how I go this weekend over that distance. I’m definitely having a lot of fun, and that’s the main aim.
“I’ve got no pressure this weekend at all, other than myself. So, I’m just going to go out there and have fun and see what I can do.
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“The past two outdoor seasons I’ve missed out on finals, so that’ll definitely be the first step forward to get into that final.”
Reekie, alongside fellow Team GB star Laura Muir, started working with coach Jon Bigg in March 2023, but has brought other people, including psychologists, into her set-up to extract small advantages.
“I’ve been with Jon for a while now, and we’ve been working on lots and I’ve got stronger and stronger as the years have gone by,” she said.
“It’s just adding in those one per cent gains and new people to your team, which I’m really enjoying. I think athletes always can work on something.”
The Indianapolis Colts bolstered their tight end room with an unconventional signing on Tuesday.
The Colts announced they signed Notre Dame basketball forward Carson Towt to their roster with the idea of converting him to a tight end.
Towt, 24, did not play football in either high school or college and recently played forward for Notre Dame basketball in 2025. Towt spent six seasons with Northern Arizona before transferring to Notre Dame for his final season.
Carson Towt (33) of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish dribbles during the game against the Virginia Cavaliers at Purcell Pavilion in South Bend, Indiana, on Jan. 27, 2026.(Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
Towt, 6-foot-8 and 250 pounds, set the Big Sky Conference single-season record with 423 rebounds during the 2024 season, which led the country. He also recorded 20 double-doubles that season.
With Notre Dame, Towt averaged 5.9 points, nine rebounds and 1.7 assists per game in 31 games.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish forward Carson Towt (33) dunks against the NC State Wolfpack during the first half at Purcell Pavilion at the Joyce Center in South Bend, Indiana, on Feb. 28, 2026.(Michael Caterina/Imagn Images)
The Colts have had success in the past with converting college basketball players into tight ends. Mo Alie-Cox played college basketball at VCU and signed with the Colts as an undrafted free agent in 2017.
In Cox’s eight-season career, he has caught 127 passes for 1,550 yards and 16 touchdowns while being an effective blocker. The Colts re-signed Cox to a one-year deal on Monday.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish forward Carson Towt (33) drives to the basket as Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets guard Akai Fleming (0) defends during the first half at Purcell Pavilion at the Joyce Center in South Bend, Indiana, on Feb. 14, 2026.(Michael Caterina/Imagn Images)
Towt will slot in behind Cox and Tyler Warren on the depth chart. Warren, a first-round selection of the Colts in the 2025 NFL Draft, had a strong rookie season. The former Penn State star caught 76 passes for 817 yards and four touchdowns.
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The Colts brought back quarterback Daniel Jones and wide receiver Alec Pierce in free agency but traded away wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr., potentially leaving more targets for tight ends.
PSG are without Fabian Ruiz with a knee injury and winger Quentin Ndjantou.
Chris Wilson17 March 2026 17:09
Team news
However, the Blues will be without Reece James for a number of weeks with a fresh hamstring problem.
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Rosenior faces a dilemma in goal with Jorgensen a doubt with a groin issue, but his rival for the No 1 spot, Robert Sanchez, is similarly prone to errors.
Chris Wilson17 March 2026 17:06
Chelsea vs PSG LIVE
Chelsea face an uphill struggle in their fight to progress to the Champions League quarter-finals, with a three-goal deficit to overcome to reigning champions PSG.
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Chris Wilson17 March 2026 17:02
Good evening
Hello and welcome to TheIndependent’s live coverage of today’s Champions League last-16 second leg clash between Chelsea and PSG.
The Blues have a mountain to climb as they hope to overturn a three-goal deficit, having lost 5-2 in the first leg in Paris last week. However, they’ll take plenty of encouragement from parts of their performance in the first leg as they welcome the holders to Stamford Bridge.
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And we’ll have all the latest build-up, team news and updates right here.
Selection Sunday is in the books, and the 2026 NCAA Tournament bracket has been unveiled. After Florida won it all last year, the SEC will again be well represented in the 2026 March Madness bracket, with 10 of the conference’s 16 teams earning a spot in the Big Dance. Florida is again a No. 1 seed in the 2026 NCAA bracket despite falling to Vanderbilt in the SEC Tournament semifinals. The three other No. 1 seeds are Duke, Michigan and Arizona.
The No. 2 seeds in the 2026 March Madness field are Houston, UConn and Iowa State. Should any of the No. 1 or No. 2 seeds be on upset alert when the first round of the NCAA Tournament 2026 gets underway on Thursday, and which teams are primed for a 2026 March Madness Cinderella run? Before you make your 2026 NCAA Tournament predictions, see the 2026 March Madness bracket picks from the proven computer model at SportsLine.
Two years ago, SportsLine’s computer simulation nailed massive upsets, including huge wins by No. 11 Oregon over No. 6 South Carolina, No. 11 NC State over No. 6 Texas Tech, No. 10 Colorado over No. 7 Florida. Last year, SportsLine’s computer simulation nailed massive upsets, including calling both 9-seeds that advanced in the first round, No. 12 Colorado State over No. 5 Memphis, and No. 6 BYU advancing to the Sweet 16. The model has beaten over 91 percent of all CBS Sports bracket players in four of the past seven tournaments.
This model, which simulates every game 10,000 times, has nailed 25 first-round upsets by double-digit seeds since its inception in 2016 and nailed UConn’s championship run in 2024. It nailed 12 teams in the Sweet 16 and correctly predicted all four Final Four teams a year ago.
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The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every college basketball game 10,000 times. It entered conference tournament week on a sizzling 14-2 run on its top-rated over/under college basketball picks dating back to last season, and is on a 28-21 run on top-rated CBB side picks. You shouldn’t even think about making a pick without seeing what their model has to say.
Top 2026 March Madness bracket upset picks
One South Region surprise the model has identified: No. 11 VCU upsets six-time national champion and No. 6-seeded North Carolina. This is a familiar spot for VCU fans, as the Rams were one of those rare double-digit seeds to make the Final Four in 2011. Long-time Saint Joseph’s head coach Phil Martelli took over the program this season and he led the Hawks on legendary runs to the Sweet 16 in 1997 and Elite Eight in 2004.
Meanwhile, North Carolina limps into the 2026 NCAA Tournament coming off a loss to Duke to close out the regular season and then suffering a loss to Clemson in its only game of the ACC Tournament. The Tar Heels will unfortunately be without superstar freshman Caleb Wilson, who suffered a season-ending thumb injury on Feb. 10. Wilson’s absence is a big reason why the model considers VCU one of its best upset candidates.
Another South Region surprise the model has identified: No. 10 Texas A&M knocks off No. 7 Saint Mary’s. Aggies head coach Bucky McMillan got his start as a high school coach in Alabama while Gaels head coach Randy Bennett has been in charge of the Gaels since 2001. However, this game will likely be decided by which team dictates the tempo, with Texas A&M ranking 29th in adjusted possessions per 40 minutes and Saint Mary’s ranking 297th.
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In their only matchup against an SEC opponent this season, the Gaels gave up 96 points to Vanderbilt in a loss and the Commodores also play fast an efficiently offensively. Saint Mary’s was also only 1-4 in Quad 1 games this season and the Aggies constitute an extremely tough first-round matchup after a great season in the WCC. See which other 2026 March Madness upsets and matchups to target here.
How to make 2026 NCAA Tournament bracket predictions
At Rosehill to start his day, Bryce Heys was absent for the reappearance of his 100th success story as Flying For Fun secured her breakthrough Group placing in the Maurice McCarten Stakes.
Heys had saddled Mailata to fourth in Sydney’s curtain-raiser before dashing via the freeway to Gosford provincials, where Banjora featured in the finale.
“He was here and then we tagged in and out,” Heys’ stable representative, Tammy Blair, said.
“He’s gone to Gosford to saddle up Banjora. So he’s there, and I’m here.”
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Returning from Listed Starlight Stakes (1100m) glory at Rosehill in November, Flying For Fun at $5 proved too strong for persistent Mal Coupe ($9) by a long neck, King’s Secret ($4 fav) third and 1-1/4 lengths adrift.
Blair mentioned Heys’ history with Flying For Fun’s sire Spieth and dam Vol Prive amplified the victory’s appeal.
“We’re very happy. We had mum and dad, so this makes it that little bit special,” she said.
For his sixth mount on the four-year-old through 12 starts, jockey Zac Lloyd applauded her dominance over decent rivals and her development beyond her prior spell.
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“She’s come back super,” Lloyd said.
“Much more mature and stronger. For her to do that first-up, that was a pretty strong Maurice McCarten Stakes, and she’s done it really nice.”
Connections lack a fixed autumn itinerary, yet Lloyd believes her settling ability now creates more paths forward.
“I’m sure Bryce will find a good option for her, but she’s so tractable now,” he said.
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“She can come from right up on the speed, or just off the speed. It definitely opens a lot of doors.”
England’s Ollie Pope bats on day two of the first Ashes cricket test match between Australia and England in Perth. (AP)
England batter Ollie Pope has responded to criticism following his side’s Ashes defeat in Australia, saying the perception that the team “weren’t fussed” is not accurate, while accepting why that view took hold among fans and experts.England, led by Ben Stokes, lost the 2025/26 Ashes series 4-1 to Australia cricket team. The tour is still under review by the England and Wales Cricket Board.Apart from results on the field, the tour also drew attention due to reports around team culture. During a break in Noosa, there were claims of players drinking heavily. There were also reports that vice-captain Harry Brook had an altercation with a nightclub bouncer during a pre-series visit to New Zealand.
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Jay Shah calls 2019 to 2026 as Indian cricket’s golden period
Pope said the team remained focused on winning the Ashes and pointed to the first Test in Perth as a key moment.“Going into that series, there was a lot spoken about the preparation of it,” Pope told reporters. “As a team, the misconception might be that we weren’t as fussed as it came across.”Speaking at Surrey’s media day, the 28-year-old said the outcome of the opening Test shaped the narrative.“The tough thing for everyone in that first game (Test) was the nature of it. Had we won that, and we’d done slightly better on day two, the idea is different.“Of course we want to be a well-liked team, on and off the pitch, and unfortunately our performance didn’t allow that to happen in Australia.”“I can understand why people felt that way, but at the same time the perception that we weren’t fussed was probably the hard thing. All we wanted to do was go and win the Ashes…All anyone wanted to do was to win,” Pope said.“And for us at times it was just trying to, in our minds, take the pressure off the actual Test match.”Even before the series began, questions were raised about England’s preparation in Australian conditions. Their build-up included a three-day match against England Lions at Lilac Hill in Perth.“As we’ve done over the previous years, we tried to treat it like a normal series to get the best out of ourselves,” Pope said. “Unfortunately, it didn’t quite go to plan.”He added: “I know what I need to be as ready as I can be. From a personal point, I felt as ready as I could have been for that first Test.”Pope was dropped after the third Test, having averaged 20.83 across the first three matches. Jacob Bethell replaced him and scored a century in the fifth Test in Sydney.Despite the setback, Pope said he is focused on returning to the side.“I still feel like my best batting years are to come.”He was speaking after the ECB reversed a plan to restrict Ashes players from speaking to the media ahead of the county season while the review of the tour continues.
A touch of gold is hitting the United States baseball team for the World Baseball Classic (WBC).
As Team USA arrives at loanDepot Park later in Miami, the team will be decked out in game-worn USA Olympic hockey sweaters.
Team USA outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong connected with Olympic hero Jack Hughes, who scored the goal to give the United States its first gold men’s hockey medal since the “Miracle on Ice” team in 1980. Hughes then reached out to his contacts at Fanatics Authentic, the company’s memorabilia division and partner of both athletes, who hand-delivered the jerseys to the team hotel in Miami in time for tonight’s game.
Roman Anthony of Team United States celebrates with teammates after hitting a solo home run against Team Dominican Republic during the fourth inning at loanDepot park on March 15, 2026, in Miami, Florida.(Gene Wang – Capture At Media/Getty Images)
In total, 36 jerseys, covering players, managers and staff, were sent because the team wanted everyone wearing them.
After being worn in the Olympics and now by Team USA at the WBC, fans and collectors will have a chance to own a piece of one of the most unique crossovers in American sports history when they are auctioned off this summer at the third annual Fanatics Fest in New York, as well as select jerseys featured in Fanatics Under Wraps NHL product launching in May, which offers fans a wide array of licensed sports memorabilia in a mystery format.
The hockey team won gold against Canada to get some long-sought revenge. It was the eighth time the U.S. and Canada played for Olympic gold, and the only time the Americans had won prior to last month was 1960. Canada had given the United States gut punches in recent memory, including the 2002 gold medal game in Salt Lake City, Sidney Crosby’s golden goal in 2010, a semifinal knockout in 2014, and the 4 Nations final in 2025.
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United States’ Jack Hughes (86) poses with teammates after a men’s ice hockey gold medal game between Canada and the United States at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
But this year, the U.S. has dominated Canada in plenty of facets. Not only did the men’s hockey team win gold over Canada, but so did the women’s team as well as the men’s Paralympic team. The baseball team also defeated Canada in the WBC quarterfinals last week.
Team USA will face Venezuela on FOX at 8 p.m. ET for the title. It is the third consecutive championship appearance for the U.S., which won in 2017 but lost to Japan six years later. This year marks Venezuela’s first trip to the championship, beating reigning champion Japan in the quarterfinal and then Italy in Monday’s semifinal.
Gunnar Henderson of Team United States celebrates with Aaron Judge after hitting a solo home run against Team Dominican Republic during the fourth inning at loanDepot park on March 15, 2026, in Miami, Florida.(Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
New York Mets pitcher Nolan McLean will get the start for the Americans, while Eduardo Rodriguez of the Arizona Diamondbacks will toe the rubber for Venezuela.
INDIAN WELLS, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 10: A general view of Stadium 1 at sunset as Jannik Sinner of Italy plays against Joao Fonseca of Brazil in their fourth round match of the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells Tennis Garden on March 10, 2026 in Indian Wells, California. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
Former American tennis player Sam Querrey has raised concerns about the prize money awarded at the Indian Wells Open, arguing that the tournament champions should earn significantly more.
The comments came after Jannik Sinner defeated Daniil Medvedev 7-6, 7-6 in the final to claim his first Indian Wells title. Sinner received $1.15 million for the victory, the same amount earned by women’s champion Aryna Sabalenka.
Speaking on the Nothing Major podcast, Querrey said the amount does not reflect the scale of the tournament or the revenue generated by top players.
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“I’m convinced they should get $3 million,” he said, suggesting that champions at a major Masters event like Indian Wells deserve a larger share.
Querrey pointed to ticket sales and packed stadiums during Sinner’s matches as evidence that star players bring enormous value to the tournament.
He also compared tennis prize money to golf payouts, noting that recent golf events have awarded significantly larger prize checks to winners.
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Data from recent tournaments shows that prize money for early rounds has increased over the years, but payouts for champions and finalists have actually dropped slightly compared to previous editions.
The IRFU has announced contract extensions for Bundee Aki, Dan Sheehan, Jamison Gibson-Park and Josh van der Flier.
This secures the futures of four key players as Ireland Head Coach Andy Farrell builds his squad towards Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027.
Bundee Aki
Connacht’s Aki has signed a new one-year contract extension. Leinster duo van der Flier and Gibson-Park have put pen to paper on two-year deals up until the end of the 2027/28 season. Sheehan has committed his future to Ireland and Leinster for a further three years until the end of the 2028/29 campaign.
Since making his debut against South Africa in 2017, Aki has been an influential figure in Ireland’s midfield, winning 69 Test caps in green, most recently coming off the bench in Saturday’s victory over Scotland.
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Aki has won three Guinness Men’s Six Nations titles with Ireland, including two Grand Slams, and in 2023 was nominated for the World Rugby Men’s XVs Player of the Year award.
Josh van de Flier
Van der Flier won his 79th Test cap in green at the weekend, with his performances throughout the Championship campaign underlining his enduring worth in Ireland’s back row.
The 2022 World Rugby 15s Player of the Year remains a key part of Farrell’s side and will continue playing his rugby with Ireland and Leinster until the end of the 2027/28 campaign.
Jamison Gibson-Park
Gibson-Park was one of Ireland’s outstanding performers throughout the Guinness Men’s Six Nations, most notably at Twickenham where his Player of the Match performance inspired Farrell’s side to a memorable bonus point win.
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The scrum-half won his 50th Ireland cap against Wales earlier this month and news of his commitment to Ireland and Leinster for a further two years is a major boost.
Dan Sheehan
27-year-old Sheehan has established himself as one of the game’s leading players since breaking on to the international scene against Japan in 2021, winning 39 Ireland caps in that time.
On Saturday, the hooker scored his 15th Six Nations try in green and Sheehan is a central figure in Ireland’s pack.
Key leaders
Ireland Head Coach Andy Farrell said of today’s contract extensions:
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“You cannot underestimate the outstanding contributions of these four players to Irish Rugby over many years. That they see their futures here is a significant boost, which I have no doubt will delight Ireland supporters around the world. They are all key leaders who put their bodies on the line time and time again in reaching the highest standards on the field.
“All four players are a pleasure to work with and have played key roles throughout the recent Guinness Men’s Six Nations. In congratulating Bundee, Jamison, Dan and Josh on their new contracts, we look forward to seeing them progress in Ireland in the months and years to come.”
Stan Moody held his nerve to clinch a 5-4 win over John Higgins at the World Open in the veteran’s 2,000th professional match.
Higgins, 50, fought back from 4-1 down to square the second-round contest against England’s Moody in Yushan, China.
But the 19-year-old, ranked 47th in the world, made a break of 65 in the deciding frame to knock out the four-time world champion.
“I watched John growing up and learning the game. To beat him in an important match out in China and to do it with a lot of breaks as well is a good feeling,” Moody told World Snooker, external.
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“John is a class act. I knew if I let him back in he would come back, so I’m glad I managed to hold my nerve in the decider.”
Moody’s reward for the victory over defending champion Higgins is a third-round meting with Welshman Ryan Day.
Elsewhere at the Yushan Sport Centre, Masters champion Kyren Wilson eased to a 5-2 win over Lyu Haotian, while world number one Judd Trump cruised to a 5-1 success over Florian Nuessle.
World champion Zhao Xintong claimed a 5-4 victory over Chinese compatriot Long Zehuang.
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Mark Williams, Gary Wilson and Jackson Page progressed at the expense of Ricky Walden, Aaron Hill and Liu Wenwei respectively.
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