Liam Highfield says it was a fantastic feeling to play at the 2018 World Championship and he is optimistic of putting together a strong challenge for the title in years to come after falling at the first hurdle this year. Highfield, making his debut in the season-ending event at the Crucible, went head-to-head with 2018 Dafabet Masters champion Mark Allen, who reached the semi-final in Sheffield back in 2009.
The 27-year-old from Swindon, who reached the quarter-finals of the Indian Open in this campaign, made two breaks of 99 but ultimately fell short against his experienced opponent, bowing out with a 10-5 defeat. Despite the loss, it was a positive debut for the Englishman and capped a remarkable 12 months, which almost saw him quit the sport because of Crohn’s disease. World number 64 Highfield, who was in hospital this time last year, lost almost three stones in just three weeks and was contemplating hanging up his cue due to so much going against him. However, the left-handed potter, who has the same auto-immune disorder as Ali Carter, is delighted with where he is now and is aiming to do well at the Crucible in the years to come. “I really enjoyed it out there and felt comfortable,” Highfield said. “I was maybe a bit surprised how comfortable I felt. In the first session I expected not to be able to pot a ball. “I have watched loads of other players come out here and hoped I could be there. Now that it is ticked off the list and hopefully I can really go far in it one day.”
Northern Ireland’s Allen will now take on Joe Perry in the second round of the tournament after his shock 10-4 victory over defending champion Mark Selby. The 32-year-old is the narrow 4/7 favourite to move into the next stage of the competition whilst his English opponent, who reached the semi-finals back in 2008, is priced at 7/5.
Snooker odds available at Dafabet.