Hunter scored his second best career break of 144

The Wembley Masters champion included his second best career break of 144 in frame two and further runs of 52, 66, 92 and 110 in the 58-minute rout.

After clinching a last-16 meeting with Steve Davis, Hunter admitted: "It's too easy when you are playing like that.

"I cannot get any better than that so if I play half as well against Steve I will be happy."

Jimmy White triumphed in the battle of the golden oldies in the third round.

In a re-run of the 1991 world final, White went behind to John Parrott 2-0 but levelled to 2-2 at the interval.

He won the fifth frame on the black from 68-0 down, made a 115 break in the next and edged the seventh 42-7.

"I got my nut down at the interval and played well after that," said the provisional world number 15, who will face Ian McCulloch, who beat Drew Henry 5-1, next.

Hendry back in form

Stephen Hendry showed he was out of the rut that saw him slide out of the Irish Masters with a 5-1 win over Gerard Greene at the Players Championship.

He secured his last 16 place with a solid display, opening with a 103 break and taking the next for a 2-0 lead.

Greene won the third frame, only for Hendry to take the next two to open up a commanding 4-1 lead.

After the restart, Hendry finished off to set up a last 16 clash with Alan McManus, who beat Dominic Dale.

The pair had had two close battles this year, but McManus eased to a 5-1 win.

After his Irish Masters defeat by Mark King, Hendry admitted he found playing snooker "a chore" but against Greene, he showed his hunger for victory was back.

"For eight days after Ireland I didn't pick up my cue. I had a few rounds of golf and just relaxed," he said.

"I have got my appetite back and it's pleasing to get this first match out of the way. Getting away from snooker was just what I needed."