Higgins fears worst for the future after late collapse

John Higgins believes his collapse against Mark King could signal the beginning of the end.

The Wizard of Wishaw held a two-frame lead but King came roaring back to dump the 42-year-old out of the Betway UK Championship. And a devastated Higgins suggested his 6-5 defeat could be a worrying sign of things to come.

“That’s the beginning of the end for me, collapsing like that. There’s only one way you’re going to go in this game,” said the fourtime world champion.

“I killed him with two frames to go 4-2 up. I should’ve had momentum but he came back really strong.

“I was just dreadful, it was an awful performance throughout the whole game,” added Higgins.

“I totally malfunctioned, every single shot. I just couldn’t pot a ball. It’s something I cannot explain. When you start playing like that, there’s only one way to go.”

Meanwhile, on the neighbouring table at York’s Barbican, Stephen Maguire triumphed in the battle of the Scots as he downed Graeme Dott 6-2.

A fifth-frame break of 116 was the highlight for Maguire, who has now reached the last eight of the competition nine times in his career.

But the 36-year-old was not concerned with his impressive consistency and said it’s the winning that counts.

“We don’t play to get to the quarters but I do seem to do well here,” he said.

“I don’t know if it’s this time of year or this tournament but I’ve been doing well. It’s a nice tournament.

“This competition is important. I think the amount of snooker we play, everyone is ready for this tournament.

“I thought I played well. That was the best I’ve felt since I’ve been here. It was always going to be a tough match but I felt from the word go I controlled the match.” l Watch LIVE coverage of the UK Championship on Eurosport and Eurosport Player with Colin Murray and analysis from Jimmy White and Neal Foulds.