Chris in the frame despite UK loss Higgins wins but teenager Totten impresses
Chris Totten revealed John Higgins offered him the chance to practice with him - if the Wizard of Wishaw doesn’t reach the latter stages at the UK Championship.
York’s Barbican Hall was the setting for the Wishaw v Newmains derby at the UK Championship as the young apprentice Totten took on the four time world champion.
Higgins was in no mood to give the youngster a chance taking a 2-0 lead before Totten pulled it back to 2-1
However, Higgins scored three breaks over 50 on his way into the second round with a 6-1 win.
The 18- year- old said: “It was absolutely brilliant; I really enjoyed it.
“After the first couple of frames I settled down and played a lot better.
“I had a few of my mates down and my brother and his pals were there as well.
“After the match John said he would get a couple of games with me before the Scottish Open but hopefully that doesn’t happen and he goes on to win the UK title.
“The match was the most enjoyable I’ve had this year along with qualifying for the Shanghai tournament.”
Totten bagged a two- year professional tour card as a reward for winning the 2017 European Amateur Championship when he defeated Andres Petrov 7–3 in the final.
No- one said the professional ranks were going to be easy but the Newmains cueman has already chalked up an impressive win over 2010 world champion Neil Robertson in Shanghai.
He is now turning his attention to the Scottish Open at the Emirates Arena in Glasgow which starts on December 11 where he faces Sam Baird in the first round.
He added: “Everyone can beat anyone on the tour.
“It’s always a tournament that I look forward to as I’ll have a bit of support there.
“Hopefully I can win a couple of games and do well.”
Totten also received the backing of three-time UK winner Higgins.
After the match the 42-year-old said: “It was a big occasion for him, but it’ll stand him in good stead.
“He got on the tour this year and he’s got two years to try and cement his place.
“Good luck to him. He had a great win against Neil Robertson earlier in the year so that was in my mind.
“He’s not frightened to beat the top players.
“I struggled, but a win’s a win at the end of the day.”