Off and running in pursuit of fifth Crucible crown
John Higgins made a promising start to his quest for a fifth world title by yesterday establishing a commanding 6-3 lead over qualifier Matthew Stevens.
Wishaw ace Higgins fought back from 3-2 down to win four frames-in-a-row to put himself in the driving seat to progress at the Crucible.
Welshman Stevens, a twotime world finalist, pocketed breaks of 60, 77 and 94 for a deserved lead.
But Higgins, who has lost three Crucible finals on the trot, called on his vast experience to dominate thereafter.
Breaks of 60, 61 and 69 did the damage for the battling Scot, as he left himself requiring four more frames this afternoon for a place in the last-16.
Former world champion Stuart Bingham admitted he feared the worst having been forced to scrap his way into the second round.
The 2015 Crucible winner was cantering with a commanding 9-4 lead over debutant Ashley Carty in Sheffield.
But Carty, the world No. 82, rallied to win three frames on the spin before
Bingham finished the job for a welcome 10-7 victory.
“I was getting anxious, I just took my foot off the gas,” admitted Bingham.
“I was very grateful to get over the line in the end because it can so easily slip away from you.
“Being in a battle can help you in the tournament, but it can also be a dampener on your confidence.”
Bingham, the reigning Masters champion, started his best-of-19 frame clash with Carty with a partial crowd, but he finished it with no spectators after new government coronavirus restrictions on Friday evening put an end to fans at the venue.
This year’s World Championship had been one of a small number of pilot events for the safe return of spectators to live sport.
“It is weird with no crowd, but that’s the world we’re living in at the moment,” reflected Bingham, who eventually progressed with breaks of 90, 109, 96, 57, 55 and 82.
“I was looking at getting my mum and dad up to watch my next match, but obviously that’s all gone wrong.
“But it doesn’t really bother me playing in front of no-one. Some players thrive on the crowd and adrenalin, but I take the game for what it is. I just play.”
Chinese cueman Ding Junhui, a Crucible finalist in 2016, avoided a shock firstround exit with a dramatic 10-9 win over qualifier Mark King.
Junhui compiled three century breaks and further runs of 98, 75 and 66 to edge through and stay on course for the £500,000 first prize.
“It was a very tough match, but I never feared losing,” admitted Ding. “I’m feeling pretty confident.”
Junhui could play fivetime world champion Ronnie O’Sullivan in the second round if the Rocket beats Thai qualifier Thepchaiya Un-Nooh in his opening match.
The pair clashed at the UK Championship earlier in the season with Junhui a 6-4 winner.
“Every time I play Ronnie I want to play my best snooker,” added Ding.
“Everybody wants me to play Ronnie, but the UK Championship was a good memory for me.
“Ronnie has tried to help me, you can feel how much he wants me to win.”
Norwegian qualifier Kurt Maflin leads Dave Gilbert, a Crucible semi-finalist last season, 5-4.
Gilbert, a former parttime potato farmer, compiled breaks of 131 and 92, but Maflin holds the slender advantage with breaks of 124, 61, 56 and 101.