Scotland’s John Higgins edges past Hong Kong’s Marco Fu in Round 1 of 2012 Haikou World Open
Reigning World Snooker Champion, Scotland’s John Higgins ousted Hong Kong’s Marco Fu by the score line of 5-3 in the first round of 2012 Haikou World Open at the Haikou Stadium in Hainan Island, Beijing.
The Scotsman dominated in the first session of the match after surviving a crucial frame loss in the fourth frame. He grabbed the first frame to lead 1-0 lead over the World Number 21 before Fu hit back with some decent knocks to pull level at 1-1. The third
frame was an easy victory for the current World Champion which pushed him on 2-1.
The fourth frame was a bit crucial for the Scottish cueman as Fu was in a strong position to claim the set and equalise the scores by 2-2. However, the proceedings did not go according to Fu’s plans and he missed on a red to let the Wizard of Wishaw take
it from there. The 36-year-old Higgins cashed his chance and breezed into the frame win and extended his match lead to 3-1.
The Lanarkshire potter restarted the contest with a classy break of 70 points in the fifth frame after the interval to move at 4-1. However, his hopes of getting to 5-1 ended when he missed a scrappy red at the lead of 60 points in the sixth set to allow
Cue-Man-Fu come at the baize. The 34-year-old from Hong Kong pocketed a 40-point clearance along with some small ones to clinch the frame and move within one frame up at 4-2.
The four-time World Snooker Champion became a bit careful and kept his focus on the match. He was definitely under immense pressure especially after Fu’s comeback. The Hong Kong Fuey continued his impressive game in the seventh frame and took the frame by
hitting a fine knock of 63. Before he could add more and win the match, he missed on a red and Higgins took the chance in his favour with a classy break of 77 to grab the match victory by the score line of 5-3.
While speaking to the World Snooker after his victory, Higgins said, “I was lucky to be 3-1 ahead at the break - the correct score should have been 2-2. Marco came back very well but I got a good break in last frame to win. I needed lots of luck though,
and I'll have to get a lot better as I'm lacking a bit of confidence.”
The former UK Champion added, “Marco was a tough match as the Chinese people wanted to see him win so I was happy to beat him this time. My confidence is way down at the moment and you have to start winning matches to get it back.”
Higgins has now surged into the second round of the tournament where he will meet either Martin Gould or Jamie Cope.
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