Dubliner Fergal O'Brien bowed out of the World snooker Championships at the Crucible Theatre tonight as Mark King grabbed a slim but welcome 10-8 victory.
King had set the tournament's best break so far of 137 in frame 14, however the Englishman was then upstaged by Scotland's second seed John Higgins, who knocked in a 139 on his way to a 6-3 first-session lead over fellow Scotsman Graeme Dott.
Play between the Scots resumes tomorrow.
World number 22 King was disappointed to be knocked out of pole position for the 20,000 top break prize but admitted it had been a blessing in disguise.
"I knew John was on a good one and I was willing him to miss," admitted 27-year-old King.
"But it actually spurred me on to win my match and I was really pleased to win the last two frames after Fergal had pulled back to 8-8."
The day's other match did not run to its scheduled nine frames and 15th seed Marco Fu will resume level at 4-4 with sedate Scot Chris Small tomorrow morning. -AFP