Yan Bingtao of China competes during the first round match against Ng On Yee of China's Hong Kong at 2021 UK Snooker Championship in York, Britain on Nov 25, 2021. (ED SYKES / XINHUA)

LONDON - World No 16 Yan Bingtao of China edged qualifier Chris Wakelin 10-6 on Tuesday to set up a last 16 clash with defending champion Mark Selby at the World Snooker Championship.

Yan Bingtao is making his fourth appearance at the year-ending tournament this year and led world No 62 Wakelin 5-4 after the first session on Tuesday morning

Yan, 22, is making his fourth appearance at the year-ending tournament this year and led world No 62 Wakelin 5-4 after the first session on Tuesday morning.

Wakelin managed to pull one frame back when the second session started this evening, but the Chinese hopeful took four frames in a row to make a 9-5 lead.

Wakelin edged Yan in the 15th frame with a result of 62-51, but couldn't hold off Yan from taking victory in the following frame.

"I felt very confident. I played very well this morning," Yan was quoted as saying by the World Snooker Tour website.

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Yan was crowned at last year's Masters as a debutant and reached the last 16 at the 2021 World Championships.

"It will be a great match against Mark Selby," said Yan. "Many people say we are similar players. I cannot wait to play him in a best-of-25 match. I will just try to enjoy it. Mark has very good control over the table. I always try to be as good as he is."

Earlier, Yan's compatriot Lyu Haotian lost to former world champion Stuart Bingham 10-5.