Snooker: John Higgins wasted little time in booking his place in the second round of this year's World Championship. The 1998 Crucible king stormed to an impressive 10-4 over Michael Holt this afternoon.
Leading 6-3 overnight, the Scot needed just over an hour to win the four frames he needed for victory and a meeting with Dubliner Fergal O'Brien in the next phase.
The Scot was always favourite to progress, but the 31-year-old was understandably pleased with his improved form having initially slipped 2-0 down to Holt.
"Yesterday was a struggle, so I'm glad I played better today," said Higgins. "I still wasn't that convincing, but hopefully I can get another tough match under my belt and go from there.
"There's a lot of great players who have already gone out, so it's a good opportunity for me and the rest of the players to try and get a good run going."
Breaks of 50 and 49 saw last season's Masters and Grand Prix champion forge 7-3 in front, only for Holt to win the next frame with runs of 33 and 32.
However, Higgins then fired in two more half century breaks — 52 and 57 — for a healthy 9-4 lead at the mid-session interval.
And it didn't take long for the world No 4 to make sure of his place in the next phase by winning the deciding 14th frame thanks to a break of 88.