Four-time World Champion John Higgins should have few problems overcoming Niu Zhuang in their European Open qualifier in Preston on Friday evening. The Scot has already sealed his place in the Indian Open this week at Guild Hall, brushing aside Welshman David John 4-1 to book a spot in Vishakhapatnam. Higgins, 42, remains as evergreen as always and will be raring to go this season after making it all the way to the World Championship Final at the Crucible in May.
The ‘Wizard of Wishaw’ looked to be on track for a fifth world crown when he led Mark Selby 10-4 before succumbing to an 18-15 defeat in Sheffield amid an onslaught from the world’s top-ranked potter. Higgins, ranked second in the world, was in fine tune against John, setting himself up for a potential maximum break in the opening frame before he broke down on 88. Further breaks of 50 and 59 ensured he needed just over an hour-and-a-half to see off his Welsh opponent.
Zhuang lacks the experience and scoring power to trouble Higgins in their European Open qualifier and the latter can come through with a win, priced at 1/50. Higgins isn’t the only former Crucible champ in action on Friday evening in Preston as Shaun Murphy also takes to the baize. The Rotherham potter will fancy his chances of obliging at odds of 1/6 in his clash with 2014 Rookie of the Year John J Astley. Elsewhere, China’s Zhang Anda, who reached the last 16 of the German Masters last season and qualified for the latter stages of the World Championship, where he lost 10-5 to Barry Hawkins at the Crucible, could be overpriced at 6/5 in his tussle with Jack Lisowski.
European Masters Qualifying prices available at Dafabet.com.