John Higgins, one of the finest names and fingers in the world of snookers, hit a landmark in his game with Alexander Ursenbacher. Asides recording a win over

Alexander, the Scot drew level with a life-long record set by legendary Stephen Hendry. He’s now level with Hendry on career centuries made. Higgins reeled off a break of 123 to level matters in the second frame. However, in doing so, he made his 775th triple-figure break, lifting into joint second place on the all-time list.

He’s now been offered a sit in the top echelon of professionals who deliver the most centuries in their games. In spite of how grand this record is, John Higgins is still 200 centuries away from the five-time world champion, Ronnie O’Sullivan, who has already hit a gargantuan 1021 centuries.

Alexander had a quick start to the game, taking the first frame and seemed comfortable enough to forge ahead. However, Higgins made sure it was his last sniff at winning a frame. From the instant he got his momentous century, Henry wished him to the dogs, dealing a devastating 4-1 win over the world number 88.

After hitting a break of 69 in the opening frame, Ursenbacher scored only 10more points throughout the encounter as Higgins set up a last-32 encounter with Andrew Higginson.
Judd Trump was fit and ready to go all the way as well.

The world’s number one saw off China’s Yuan Sijun to fit himself into the last-32. Although Juddernaut completed a 4-0 whitewash over his opponent, the results aren’t a reflection of what transpired in the game. Indeed, the scores are flattering for the winner. Judd Trump was simply not at its peak, but he would be grateful that he didn’t need so much to dispatch the Chinese.

The world’s number one made just one break exceeding the 50-mark and was, for the most part, of the match-up frustrated and disappointed.

Elsewhere, Mark Selby exercised his dominance over Alfie Burden with a 4-1 win. Selby was on-point perfect in his plays and went past the 70-mark on four separate occasions.

Roland Arum