Steam in for talented Jones against Slessor

Elliot Slessor made a good job of surprising Sam Baird in his Coral English Open curtain-raiser, but the Gateshead-born potter may not be so lucky against Jak Jones in Manchester today.

Slessor, who Jimmy White once playfully said would win the world title one day, is still battling away on the main tour but talent-wise he may have to give better to Jones, a young Welshman who is quite highly thought of.

Baird compiled breaks of 92, 87 and 73 in his Event City opener but still found himself exiting the first of the Home Nations tourna­ments in round one, so Slessor should clearly not be taken lightly today.