Robert Milkins scored a surprise 6-1 win over Shaun Murphy at the International Championship in Chengdu, yesterday.

Murphy headed to China full of confidence having won the Bulgarian Open earlier this month, but was no match for world number 18 Milkins.

Breaks of 57, 47 and 72 helped Gloucester’s Milkins go 3-0 ahead, and though Murphy nicked the fourth frame by clearing from brown to black, he couldn’t turn the match around after the interval.

A 37 clearance put Milkins 4-1 ahead and in frame six he made 57 before taking it on the colours.

Milkins then dominated the next to secure his last 16 place.

“It’s a massive win for me,” said Milkins.

“I got off to a good start, which was the key because I usually start matches slowly. Shaun let me off a couple of times and I kept him under pressure, then I nicked a couple of frames towards the end.”

World number five Barry Haw-kins is also out as he lost 6-2 to two-time world champion Mark Williams, whose top break was 59.

Sam Baird came from 3-0 and 5-3 down to beat Mark Davis 6-5.

Devon’s Baird made a 121 in the fourth frame, and 98 in the tenth and took the decider 72-37.

“I can’t believe I won,” said world number 77 Baird, who has never been past the last 16 of a full ranking event.

“I haven’t done that well in the major events so it’s nice to be in the last 16 of a huge tournament with a chance to go further.”