Higgins playing for keeps

JOHN HIGGINS insists retaining his Champion of Champions title would be a special achievement.

So far this season Judd Trump and Mark Selby have successfully defended their crowns at the European Masters and International Championship respectively.

Scots ace Higgins, 42, now wants to follow suit by scooping the £100,000 top prize in Coventry.

The four-time world snooker champion begins his bid for glory against countryman Anthony McGill on Thursday. And he said: “Defending any title is special, it’s a big event so it’s one you’d love to win.

“It’s a one-table set-up as well so it does feel like a top-class event.”

Chinese superstar Ding Junhui suffered a shock 4-2 by England’s Anthony Hamilton on day one. TENNIS: The ATP were forced to apologise yesterday after the draw for the Next Gen Finals in Milan was slammed by leading female figures in the game.

Female models revealed groupings for the Under-21 tournament with letters hidden under their clothing.

Former Wimbledon champion Amelie Mauresmo called it a “disgrace” on Twitter yesterday while Judy Murray described it as “awful”.

And the ATP said: “Our execution of proceedings was in poor taste and unacceptable. We deeply regret this and will ensure there is no repeat.”