Higgins dropped an excellent pot on the third-last red into a centre pocket and cleared with 42 for victory. Higgins regained the lead then Bingham looked set to make it 3-3 until he ran out of position leading 64-23 in the sixth. The Masters champion made a 57 in the next as he recovered to 2-2. Bingham took the third with a huge stroke of luck as he missed the final blue to a baulk corner but it came off three cushions and dropped into a centre pocket. Wishaw’s Higgins took a scrappy opening frame then came from 40-0 down to win the second with a 60 clearance. Four-time World Champion Higgins is currently ninth in the one-year rankings so every win is vital as he looks towards qualification for the second and third events in the Coral Series. John Higgins saw off Stuart Bingham 4-2 to set up a match with Zhao Xintong. Higgins Gains Confidence With Bingham Win
The doctor says it should clear up within the next couple of days.” I have been on the tablets since Monday and now it is ten times better. “A couple of days ago I couldn’t stick it. “Barry struggled, probably because he saw me limping around the table and it put him off. “I didn’t think I could win but I wanted to give it a go,” said 44-year-old Williams. Hawkins took a scrappy fifth frame before Williams sealed victory in the next with runs of 47 and 40. Breaks of 50 and 58 helped him to a 3-1 lead. The three-time World Champion was far from his best against Hawkins but showed determination as he battled into the second round. Gout, a condition which causes sudden extreme pain, struck Williams last Saturday when he tweeted it felt as if “someone has hit my big toe with a hammer.” Medication has eased the pain and he was able to compete today, aided by an exemption which allowed him to wear a soft shoe on his left foot. Williams was given permission to wear a slipper on his left foot