Malta's Alex Borg had a very positive start at the Northern Ireland Open in Belfast yesterday when he beat former world champion Peter Ebdon 4-3 in a first round match.

As the result indicates, it was a very close match which went to the seven and final deciding frame.

Borg had a good start taking the first frame, but Ebdon hit back strongly, winning the next two frames to go on top 2-1. The Maltese player then won the next two frames to regain the lead (3-2), but Ebdon levelled it at 3-all by winning the sixth frame.

The final frame was somewhat tense, but Borg prevailed to overcome his more experienced opponent.

The Mellieha-born player will now meet Mei Xi Wen of China or Jordan Brown of Northern Ireland in the second round.