STEPHEN Maguire has strongly criticised the tournament organisers at the China Open after struggling to find a practice table before his first round contest.

The world No.18 called World Snooker a 'disgrace' after battling past Gary Wilson 5-3 at Beijing University.

“World Snooker need to get a grip and change this system because there are too many players,” said a frustrated Maguire.

“I tried to get up at 6am to get a practice and there was a queue of people. You've got 64 players trying to practice on three tables which is just rubbish.

“The first round matches are just a lottery and it's a disgrace.”

Despite his lack of table time Maguire managed to grind out the win against Wilson, labelling it one of his worst ever displays.

“It was rubbish,” he admitted. “The both of us were really bad.

“It's the worst I've seen Gary play and it's the worst I've ever played so I don't take much confidence from that match.”

Maguire will take on Jack Lisowski in the second round tomorrow, whilst compatriots John Higgins and Graeme Dott also got through the opening round.

Dott dealt a 5-1 drubbing to Matthew Stevens with top breaks of 82 and 79 to set up a second round meeting with Martin Gould or Yuan Sijun.

And the Larkhall cueman was relieved to have found some form ahead of the gruelling World Championship qualifiers which are looming next month.

“I've been very low on confidence lately so that win was important for me,” he reflected.

“I've just not been playing well so when you lose it becomes a bit of a habit and I'm just happy to win a match.

“As long as I'm playing a bit better going into the World Championship that was my aim for this tournament.”

Former China Open champion Higgins eased to a 5-2 victory over rising star Zhou Yuelong.

The teenager was part of the Chinese duo that beat Higgins and Maguire in the World Cup final in June, but history was not to repeat itself as the 40-year-old produced a solid showing to secure a second round berth.

“He's a great player,” said the four-time world champion. “He's going to be a big star. He's going to be the next best player after Ding [Junhui] from China.”

Higgins will play Mark Joyce tomorrow after he beat Belgian starlet Luca Brecel.

Golden oldie Alan McManus fell to Mike Dunn on the black ball in a thrilling final frame decider, whilst Edinburgh cueman Ross Muir lost 5-4 to Robert Milkins.

Home favourite Ding was one of the biggest casualties on the opening day as Welshman Lee Walker wiped him out 5-1 in the qualifying round.

Aussie ace Neil Robertson was stunned 5-3 by Thailand's Noppon Saengkham, whilst world champion Stuart Bingham whitewashed Cao Yupeng 5-0.

World Championship quarter-finalist Anthony McGill takes on Jimmy Robertson in the first round today, whilst first year professional Rhys Clark has a tough test against experienced Englishman Mark Davis.