HiggobuzzingforAllen ‘cracker’afterGouldKO
FOUR-time Crucible champion John Higgins has predicted a cracker against Mark Allen when the pair meet in the second round of the Betfred World Championship on Friday.
The Scot made at least a halfcentury break in every frame he won when he defeated Martin Gould 10-6 yesterday.
However, the Wishaw wizard could only make one century as he made it safely into the second round having held a 7-2 lead overnight after an impressive display on Monday.
The 2011 world champion, making his 22nd appearance, is excited by another battle with the free-scoring Antrim potter for a place in the quarter-finals.
“He’s a great player, I always have good games against him. I have a lot of respect for his game, he’ll probably agree he could have done better in his career than he has,” Higgins said. “There are so many great players vying for tournaments but we always have great games and I’m sure the second round match will be another.
“Obviously you have a bit of banter, you see each other on the practice tables; you might go to watch the football or get a bite to eat but when it comes down to it, we’ll be best of enemies.
“It should be a good game. I’m looking forward to it, I have the utmost respect for Mark’s game.
“I’m happy with the way I was hitting the ball. I concentrated on each frame and saw where it took me but I played well.”
Higgins reached the last eight in Sheffield last year before being knocked out by fellow Scot Alan McManus. He was in strong form on Monday as he raced into a 5-0 lead with breaks of 65 and 76.
The final four frames of that first session were shared as the Scot took a 7-2 lead i nto yesterday but Gould immediately reduced the deficit with his second century of the match.
An impressive 127 clearance, the highest break of the tie, sent Higgins on his way again and further breaks of 67 and 82 eventually got him over the line.
Despite appearing to be in control throughout his time at the table, Higgins admitted he was relieved to get past Gould.
“Martin is one of those players who can go on a roll and reel off two or three frames. I thought he was going to make it 9-7 then with the pressure like it is here, it would be difficult to get over the line,” he added. “To win 10-6 against Martin is brilliant, to be 7-2 in front I don’t think you can ever think you’ll get that against a class player. It was a good draw because he gets on with the game and goes for his shots.”
Higgins, 41, resumes his quest for a fifth world title in a best of 25-frame match against Allen.
The Northern Irishman was far from his most fluent on Monday night but struck a break of 97 to clinch a 10-8 victory over qualifier Jimmy Robertson in his first-round match.
Success against Allen would see Higgins face 2015 winner Stuart Bingham or Kyren Wilson in the quarter-final.