STUART Bingham said he was “over the moon” to beat Matthew Stevens in the first round of the Welsh Open yesterday.

The Bowers Gifford potter saw off the challenge of home favourite Stevens in relatively comfortable fashion, securing a 4-2 win in Cardiff.

And the 40-year-old said beating the former UK Championship and Masters champion was a good feeling, after a disappointing first round exit in the World Grand Prix last week.

“I feel good,” he said. “I was disappointed with the manner of my defeat last week but I had to move on quickly and I put some hours in and started like a house on fire.

“I had some easy misses at points that don’t do the confidence any good but I am over the moon to beat someone of Matthew’s calibre in the first round.

“I am glad to be here for the next few days.”

Bingham recorded a century break in the first frame of the match before Stevens pegged him back in frames two and four.

But the world number two rattled off frames five and six to move into an unassailable lead and book a match with either Gary Wilson or Rory McLeod tomorrow.

And he said it was good to get some game time under his belt, and catch up on some sleep after he recently became a father for the third time.

“I feel better in my game,” he said. “Just to be here and play well means I am moving in the right direction.

“My wife is a diamond and has been doing the night feeds,” he added. “It is nice to be away for a few days and get some sleep mind you!”

Stevens, who has slipped down the rankings in recent times, admitted he was slightly frustrated to draw the former world champion in the first round, but said he felt the match could have swung in his favour had decisive moments played out differently.

“It was a bit unfortunate to draw someone like Stuart in the first round but it is one of those things that is just the toss of a coin,” he said. “It was a pretty close game and maybe it could have gone differently if a few balls had gone in.”