Wednesday's scores

Hunter, playing his second competitive game of the season following treatment for cancer, sealed victory after a decisive snooker on the pink.

The 27-year-old had battled back from 8-6 down and received a standing ovation from the York crowd.

Peter Ebdon, John Higgins and Ken Doherty are also into the third round.

An emotional Hunter said afterwards that he was delighted with his victory.

"I'm lucky that the tournament fell this Wednesday rather than last Wednesday," he said.

"I wasn't very well last week. I just kept thinking to myself while I was out there that I'd worked too hard to just throw it all away.

"I feel really drained. My legs were shaking, my head was shaking and I'm very proud of myself for pulling through."

Seventh seed Higgins began his pursuit of a second ranking event of the season by sweeping aside Northern Ireland's Gerard Greene 9-3.

Higgins made 145 in the 10th frame to put himself on course for the tournament's highest break prize of �6,000.

The 30-year-old, who as a top-16 seed had a first-round bye, admitted that he is relieved to be back in action, having not played a competitive game since the Grand Prix final seven weeks ago.

"It's the longest break that I've ever known," he said. "As I'm not involved in the Premier League I have just been sitting around practising.

The Scot will now meet Ireland's Ken Doherty, who secured his place in the next round after a narrow victory over Marco Fu.

Doherty led 8-5 but Fu levelled at 8-8 before the Dubliner took the deciding frame.

"To say I'm relieved would be an understatement," said Doherty.

Ebdon, seeded eight, was tied 4-4 with Dominic Dale at one point before winning the next five frames.

Welsh stars Mark Williams and Matthew Stevens endured mixed fortunes as they began their campaigns.

Former world champion Williams, who began the season as world number 22, needs two more frames for victory after going 7-1 clear of Michael Holt.

However, Stevens goes into Thursday's second session 5-3 behind Basildon's in-form star Stuart Bingham.

Alan McManus is 6-2 down to Ali Carter, Mark Davis leads Graeme Dott 5-3 and Joe Perry and Barry Hawkins are at 4-4.