STUART Bingham says he has to improve if he is to impress in the UK Snooker Championship after his 6-1 win over amateur Jordan Brown yesterday.

The reigning world champion, who has endured a troublesome time since triumphing at the Crucible back in May, edged out the Northern Irishman in the first three frames.

He then rattled off successive centuries to surge into a 5-0 lead, although Brown pulled one frame back before Bingham sealed the match with an 80 break.

But despite the emphatic scoreline, the 39-year-old from Vange was disappointed with a slow start and is eyeing better displays from here on out.

“I'm happy the way I finished it off but not the way I started, I could have been 3-0 down pretty easily so I've got to tighten up to progress any further,” said Bingham.

“The first three frames could have gone either way I was a bit fortunate to win them but I made 100 in the fourth and then another to go 5-0.

“It's going to be tough from here on out so I'll have to be on my game to have a chance to beat any of the guys left.

“So it's going to be tough but if I can play like the way I did to finish the match off then I fancy my chances but I need to play pretty well.”

Bingham has reached successive semi-finals in the UK Championships before losing to world champions and eventual tournament winners Neil Robertson and Ronnie O'Sullivan.

He insisted that he is not looking beyond the second round, but with O'Sullivan choosing not to defend his title and Robertson separated in the draw, Bingham suggested he could progress far in the tournament.

“I remember winning my match 6-0 last year and some good memories came back,” he added.

“Once I got my eye in, the table played lovely. The person who beat me in the last two semis has gone on to win it – one of them is not here the other is in another quarter of the draw.

“But I've got to not get carried away and just look at the second round.”

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