Hawkins returns positively from his lockdown

Barry Hawkins admitted after thrashing Alexander Ursenbacher at the World Championship he had been “getting a little bit sick of snooker” prior to lockdown.

Hawkins, having gone into yesterday afternoon’s session 7-2 up in the firstround contest, soon added the three frames he needed without a reply from his Swiss opponent.

The 2013 finalist was asked afterwards if, with his form patchy this season, lockdown had come at a good time.

He said: “It came at the perfect time for me because I was just at that point where I was just getting a little bit sick of snooker, and I think to be honest with you a lot of players were.

“I didn’t hit a ball for three months. It was nice

“I was just getting a little bit sick of snooker”

just to spend some time at home.”

Asked if the number of tournaments needed to be cut down, Hawkins said: “I’m not sure because we want as many tournaments as possible... but sometimes the backto-back tournaments are quite tough.”

Hawkins, who faces Neil Robertson in round two, punished mistakes by 24-year-old Crucible debutant Ursenbacher.

The 41-year-old, who posted a break of 84 in yesterday’s opening frame, said: “I’m pleased with how I concentrated. A couple of mistakes but I’m pleased to get through.”

Four-time winner John Higgins trailed Kurt Maflin 5-3 in their second-round match.

Maflin bounced back from a slow start by winning four frames in a row to go 4-2 up, before Higgins responded with a break of 101 and reduced the deficit. Maflin then made a break of 81 as he re-established a two-frame lead.