World champion John Higgins left Wembley arena yesterday with mixed feelings after his first win at the venue since 1995 put him into the quarter-finals of the British Masters.

The world number one defeated former practice partner Alain Robidoux 6-1 to guarantee himself £26,000 from the £575,000 total prize fund. But Higgins missed a great opportunity to write himself into Masters history by becoming only the second player in 25 years to compile a 147 break.

Had he done so the 23-year-old Scot would have won a sports car worth £80,000 and also the high-break prize of £18,000.

Sadly for Higgins he missed the 15th and final red after potting his way immaculately to 112. He paid the price for finishing too straight on the previous black, making his shot that much tougher. Higgins made a good attempt into the yellow pocket but the ball failed to drop.

However, Higgins has the chance to go for another maximum against Peter Ebdon or Mark King in the quarter-finals on Friday.

Higgins' fourth-frame century was the high spot of an undistinguished second-round game against a woefully out-of-touch opponent. World number 12 Robidoux, down to 45th on the provisional rankings, prevented the whitewash by making a colour clearance to snatch frame six on the black.

Anthony Hamilton guaranteed himself his biggest pay cheque after reaching the quarter-finals at the expense of John Parrot last night. Hamilton defeated the three timed Wembley runner-up 6-4 and now faces Malta's Tony Drafgo, already assured of £26,000. Hamilton's success in a dour struggle avenges last season's defeat in the Thailand Open when the Nottingham professional reached his first ranking tournament semi-final.