text: Mark Selby, John Higgins and Ding Junhui were among a number of players who moved effortlessly into the last 16 of the China Open on Wednesday. Selby, who is gearing up for the defence of his world title later this month, continued to defy a neck injury to sweep aside fellow Englishman Elliot Slessor with a break of 126 in frame four of their second-round clash. Ding, the home favourite and reigning champion in Beijing, had two breaks of 86 in a convincing 5-1 victory against Mark Davis to set up a third-round meeting with Mark Williams, who was an easy 5-0 winner over Scotland's Michael Leslie. Mark Selby plays a shot during his match against fellow Engllishman Elliot Slessor at the China Open . Slessor plays a shot against Selby during their match at the China Open at Peking University in Beijing . Four-time world champion Higgins had a single break over 50 as he beat Scottish countryman Graeme Dott 5-2, setting up an intriguing last-16 clash with Judd Trump. Bristolian Trump, who lost out to Higgins in the 2011 World Championship final, enjoyed a century break in frame six to seal a 5-1 success against Peter Ebdon. Another former world champion, Shaun Murphy, was made to work hard for his place in the third round, coming from 3-2 down to see off Anthony McGill 5-4. Thailand's Dechawat Poomjaeng, who upset Neil Robertson in the opening round in Beijing, pulled out an impressive 5-0 win against England's Jack Lisowski to continue his challenge, but it was the end of the line for Marco Fu, who was edged out 5-4 by Welshman Jamie Jones. There were also second-round wins for Barry Hawkins, Stephen Maguire, Michael White, Robert Milkins, David Gilbert, Robin Hull, Kurt Maflin and Gary Wilson, with the last-16 taking place across two sessions on Thursday. Shaun Murphy worked hard for his place in the third round, coming from behind to beat Anthony McGill 5-4 .
target: World No 1 Mark Selby overcame a neck injury to beat fellow Englishman Elliot Slessor at the China Open .
  John Higgins and Ding Junhui have also made it into the tournament's last 16 .
  Shaun Murphy was made to work hard for his place in the third round, coming back from 3-2 down to beat Anthony McGill .
  The last 16 will take place across two sessions on Thursday .