John Higgins is happy to be drawn against Mark Davis in the first round of the World Championship on Sunday, but said he “will have to be on top of my game” to win.

The 43-year-old Scot won the last of his four world titles back in 2011, but he has gone close in the previous two tournaments having been runner-up to Mark Selby in 2017 before losing 18-16 against Mark Williams in the final 12 months ago.

Higgins arrives at Sheffield’s Crucible in poor form so far this year with no tournament wins under his belt to date and he is wary that Davis poses a real threat given that he has come out on top in the past two meetings.

The Englishman is the oldest player at the World Championship at the age of 46, but Higgins feels he is currently playing some of his best snooker.

He said: “Mark is such a tough all-round competitor and I know I will have to be on top of my game.

“He’s a better player now than he’s ever been. I’ve lost a few times to him but I was quietly pleased with the draw.”

On his poor form ahead of trying to lift the trophy for a fifth time in his career, Higgins added: “I’m just trying to put a pretty poor season behind me.

“Obviously you can turn that round with a good World Championship and then maybe go into the summer break feeling a bit better about yourself.”

Higgins, who is 21.00 to win the World Snooker Championship outright, is priced at 1.30 to overcome Davis, while his opponent is 3.50 to claim a third consecutive win against him.