STUART BINGHAM can be forgiven for not being totally focused on the job during his 6-2 victory over Jimmy White in the williamhill.com UK Snooker Championship.

Bingham explained in his post-match press conference that his wife Michelle had been in a car accident – reversing into another vehicle on Saturday – news which had unsettled the Essex cueman.

Although the scoreline looked comfortable, and the Whirlwind admitted he played very poorly, Bingham said he will have to perform better if he has to get past Anthony McGill in the last 32.

“I just couldn’t pick myself up – my missus rang me on Saturday. She had a car accident and I don’t know if that was playing on my mind but everything is all right,” he said.

“I was a bit worried about it. I’m in the next round and I can improve. I have got to improve. I’ve got Anthony McGill next. He’s a tough player, he’s coming through and he will make it tough for me.”

Judd Trump, meanwhile, reckons it has been all too easy so far.

The Bristolian beat Dechawat Poomjaeng 6-0 to set up a last 32 clash with Xiao Guodong at the Barbican tonight and wished he had been given more of a test.

Trump did have a chance at a 147 but took his eye off a black on 89 and missed the chance to grab the £55,000 maximum break prize.

He said of the match: “It was a bit too easy, I wanted to be pushed a little bit more. Apart from the 147 attempt, it was a bit too easy.

“You never know. I have played players around his ranking and they have beaten me this year and it is just what happens – you can either play brilliant or struggle in front of the TV cameras.”

Trump admits Guodong is likely to cause him a bit more trouble, adding: “I think he has improved a lot so it will be a tough game. I think he’s a lot better than where he is ranked – he is like a top 16 player now. It will be a hard game, probably.”

A battle of Scotland awaits John Higgins, who faces compatriot Jamie Burnett in the third round after a 6-1 win over Rod Lawler.

The Wizard of Wishaw said: “I managed to nick the first frame but it was pretty close and that set the tone for the game. I got in front and managed to get a couple of frames quite quickly after that and that gave me control of the game.”

• Strong ticket sales for the williamhill.com UK Championship have delighted the game’s governing body.

World Snooker said 6,700 seats had been sold for the tournament so far and spokesman Ivan Hirschowitz said tickets were still available at the Barbican throughout the rest of the tournament.

The sales are an unexpected bonus for tournament chiefs and Hirschowitz said: “There was a real buzz in the sports hall for the first couple of days and it was a good atmosphere. We are very pleased.”

To book tickets, log on to www.worldsnooker.com/tickets