John Higgins feels a holiday from snooker might be his best way of preparing for the World Championships later this month after a painful exit from the China Open in Beijing. The four-time world champion suggests his current form will make him an “also-ran” for the premier event of the snooker season at the Crucible.

It was the second time within two months Higgins had lost to world number 84 Joe O’Connor as they also met in the quarter-finals of the Welsh Open in February, with Higgins beaten 5-3. This time around he was seen off 6-2 by the tour rookie, losing six frames on the trot after taking an early advantage.

The 23-year-old, whose promising debut season was highlighted by his run to the Welsh Open semi-finals, now meets Iran’s Hossein Vafaei in the last 32 in China.

Higgins is now contemplating a break from the game before the Crucible.

“Right now I’m an also-ran for the World Championship,” said the world number four. “We’ll see what happens. I might go on holiday with my family for a week, it might help me to do something different. It might give me a clear perspective.”

Higgins paid tribute to his opponent but admitted his own confidence is low. There had been talk of retirement at stages of this season but, regardless of the World Championship, Higgins says he’ll be back next season.

“This is a big tournament, so to go out in the first round is not good confidence-wise, going to the Crucible,” he added.

“My confidence was at a low ebb anyway, so this will compound it. I’ve got one tournament left then I’ll put the season to bed and hopefully come back stronger next year.”

Higgins is 21.00 to win the World Championship this year.