Basildon professional Stuart Bingham made a good start to his second round match in the 888.com sponsored world championship in Sheffield.
In the best of 25 frames match with Joe Perry, who has come out on top in recent encounters between the pair, Bingham opened a 5-3 lead after the first session.
It was nip and tuck in the first four frames with Bingham twice edging ahead before being pegged back as the score at the interval break stood at 2-2.
But the Basildon man, boosted by a break of 98 in the fifth frame, raced into a 5-2 lead, despite Perry having breaks of 57 and 50 in the sixth and seventh frames respectively.
Perry took the last frame of the session, but Bingham was looking in solid form and hopes are high that he can overcome his opponent in two sessions today and make the last eight.
If he does it is likely to push him into the world's top 16 for the first time in his 13 years in the paid ranks.
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