BOURNEMOUTH'S Paul Wykes continued his impressive start to the new campaign by reaching the second qualifying round of the £747,000 UK Championship in Burton-on-Trent yesterday.

Wykes, already successful in the opening rounds of the LG Cup and British Open, defeated Dutchman Mario Wehrmann 5-3 to complete his third straight victory.

And although the world number 69 struggled with tiredness and a determined opponent, he was more than happy with the result.

"I didn't sleep too well and got up aching and not expecting to play well," Wykes said.

"Considering how I felt and the fact that my concentration wasn't very strong I'm pleased to get through.

"I was a little surprised at how well Mario competed. He played above himself and made it into a real battle."

Wykes dropped the first frame to Wehrmann's 56 break but won the next three to lead 3-1, with runs of 45 and 40 his best efforts.

Wehrmann closed to within a single frame with a break of 71, the highest of the match and reduced his arrears to 4-3 with a run of 64 after Wykes had comfortably clinched the sixth.

But Wykes stopped him from potting a ball in the eighth frame and secured his second round place with breaks of 44 and 49.

"I just hope I can keep it going," he said. "It's another first round match won but if I want to get back into the top 64 I need to go further than this in tournaments."

Wykes, who needs to win three more matches to reach the televised stage of the UK Championship in York this December, was in action again today in the first qualifying round of the Regal Welsh Open.

His opponent was Mark Gray, the world number 100 from Peterborough.

Paul Wykes beat Mario Wehrmann 5-3.

Frame scores: (Wykes first) 31-64(56); 82-41; 69-8; 82-28; 1-71(71); 59-8; 4-94(64); 93-0