Match Reports from the 888.com World Snooker Championship
Higgins Holts Hit Man !
John Higgins 10 – 4 Michael Holt
John Higgins stormed into the second round with a confident display of break-building that suggested a return to form.
The Scot finished a disappointing first session with a century, clearly boosting his confidence going into day two of the match.
With five breaks of 49 or over in as many frames, the 1998 champion swept into the last 16 with a 10-4 win. Sitting in his chair for most of the session, Michael Holt was powerless to prevent the onslaught.
The man from Nottingham did come from behind to take the 11th, but scored just 19 points in the four other frames.
Higgins now plays Fergal O’Brien for a place in the quarter-finals with the added incentive of finishing the year as world number one.
The 31-year-old came into the tournament as provisional world number three. However, the two men ahead of him (Graeme Dott and Ken Doherty) lost in the first round.
By David Pritchard
