The Royal London Watches Grand Prix finalist goes on to play defending champion Mark Williams at the Student Gym in Beijing on Wednesday.

Stoke's Cope took the first frame with a break of 65. Yang, a 25-year-old from the Shanxi Province, levelled at 1-1 then Cope won the next two with a top run of 67.

Frame five went down to a respotted black and Cope slotted it home with an excellent long pot. He sealed victory in the next with a run of 52.

"I played well and if I can beat Mark Williams in the next round I could go a lot further," said the player nicknamed the Shotgun for his attacking style.

"I've had a good season, especially getting to the final in Aberdeen, but I've not qualified for the Crucible so I hope I can finish strongly here.

"Yang looks like a good player and I'm sure he'll improve if he keeps practising."