"I had my chances to win 5-1 and didn't take them. After that Stephen became stronger and bit by bit got back into the match.

"In the decider, I still had openings but when I missed a blue with Stephen ahead 38-29, the game slipped away from me afterwards. Of course I'm disappointed but beating Ronnie O'Sullivan doesn't mean anything at all in your next match.

"This one became a scrappy affair but I've had little sleep here and became very tired. I didn't think the balls ran for me towards the end but that can happen when you don't take your chances and Stephen anyway deserved his victory."

The highest breaks from Wattana were a 49 and 37 with Lee responsible for a 67 and 53.

Wales' Mark Williams beat Scottish qualifier Scott MacKenzie 5-0 to reach the quarter-finals.

Williams only compiled one half-century break, a 52 in the third frame, but his all-round game was strong.

Williams' victory means his top 16 world ranking now looks secure and he remains on course for a fifth ranking title on Asian soil. The laid-back 31-year-old has won three ranking titles in Thailand and was crowned China Open champion in 2002. Meanwhile, Joe Perry won 5-4 against Michael Holt, who conceded the deciding frame despite only trailing 19-0.

John Dee

The Nation

Beijing