HIGGINS TOPPLES KING TO BUILD FORM

27 Mar 2008 09:07:00

John Higgins hopes to add to his tally of one ranking title in Asia this week - and to find his best game ahead of the defence of his world title.

Higgins scored a 5-1 win over Mark King today at the Honghe Industrial 2008 China Open to book his place in the quarter-finals, and showed a marked improvement on his performance yesterday when he scrapped a 5-4 win over Joe Swail.

The Scot took the first frame today with a break of 88, then Romford’s King levelled. Higgins then pulled away to win four in succession with runs of 71, 62 and 116, missing the green in the last frame when set for a tournament-high 141.

"I would love to win this tournament as I’ve only ever won one in the Far East which is not a good record," said Higgins, who won the China International in 1999. "To win would give me confidence going into Sheffield that I can defend my world title and play some good snooker.

"It was a good performace today. Yesterday’s match was scrappy and I’m lucky to still be in the tournament.  But I got some confidence from making a good break in the last frame. Today I gave Mark some chances and he didn’t take them. My next opponent is sure to take them so I will have to play better.

"Whoever I play next (Mark Selby or Marco Fu) will be a tough game. They have both beaten me this season - Marco at the Grand Prix and Mark in Wales. They are both having a great season, along with Ronnie O’Sullivan, Shaun Murphy and Stephen Maguire, they have been the best five players this season."

Higgins' friend and countryman Stephen Maguire joined him in the last eight with a comfortable 5-2 win over Barry Hawkins.

Maguire lost the first frame but hit back to win five of the next six with top runs of 71, 85 and 75.

"It's a good result because Barry is a tough match-player," said Northern Ireland Trophy champion Maguire. "It was nothing spectacular but my all-round game was good and I'm pleased to be through to the quarter-finals in China for the first time."

Mark Williams continued his recent revival with a 5-2 success over Peter Ebdon. Welshman Williams came from 2-0 down to win the next five frames with four breaks in the 40s.

Nigel Bond reached his first ranking quarter-final since the 2003 UK Championship by beating Barry Pinches 5-1, knocking in 104, 100 and 70.

"Next season will be my 20th as a professional but I still love playing in tournaments," said 42-year-old Bond. "It can be hard to motivate myself in practice but I play against the likes of Shaun Murphy and Mark Selby, so that helps keep me interested."