HOMETOWN HERO BROWN BRINGS WATERFRONT HALL TO LIFE

LOCAL favourite Jordan Brown lit up the Northern Ireland Open with a fine 4-2 first round win against former World Championship semifinalist James Wattana 4-2.

“It’s a brilliant win,” beamed Antrim ace Brown (right). “It’s difficult out there in front of the home fans. You have to hold your nerve.

“The Northern Irish players all get behind each other in every tournament and more so here at home. Whether it’s Mark [Allen] or wee Robbie Mcguigan, who’s the next big thing, we all support each other.”

Brown bagged a top break of 64 as him and Wattana shared the opening four frames but Brown won the last two frames to progress at the Waterfront Hall.

Antrim ace Allen kicks off his title bid today against up-and-coming potter Sam Craigie. The Pistol is desperate to lift his home trophy for the first time after failing to fire in front of his adoring fans.

Brown added: “Mark’s spoken in the past about having the weight of being the home favourite.

“Mark’s desperate to win this, he’ll be trying his best to win it.”

Gerard Greene crashed out 4-1 to former top-16 ace Marco Fu.

Northern Irish amateur champion Declan Lavery was whitewashed

4-0 by Scotsman Stephen Maguire who is playing with a broken ankle.

Former Irish world champion Ken Doherty beat Michael Georgiou, who now lives in Northern Ireland, 4-2. Four-time world champ John Higgins beat Chang Bingyu 4-2.

Ronnie O’sullivan and world champion Judd Trump kick off their respective title bids today.