Higgins brushes aside Wattana in Sheffield
John Higgins brushed aside Thailand's James Wattana in the first round of the World Snooker Championship on Thursday, cruising to an emphatic 10-1 win.
Higgins, who took just 27 minutes in the second session to seal victory after leading 8-1 overnight, compiled three century breaks and six half-centuries in the match.
The 1998 champion was delighted with the way he played.
"I think I've done better over the longer matches because it does suit the better players," said Higgins. "Hopefully I can do some damage again."
Higgins had sympathy for Wattana who has slipped down the world rankings following a loss of form and subsequent dip in confidence.
"It is very hard for them, coming over here. We moan and groan about going over to Thailand and China for 17/18 days, but they've got to come over here and they're away from their family and friends for years," he said.
"James has done very well over the years, but I think now he's getting homesick and disillusioned with the game. We all hope he can come back fighting because he is a class player."
Wattana said he was "embarrassed" about his failure to put up a stronger challenge.
"It's a shame really because you work so hard to get this far," said the former world number three. "John played well and kept me off the table for quite some time."
When asked about Higgins' chances in the tournament, Wattana said: "He's a very strong contender because he's in good form."
Defending champion Ronnie O'Sullivan had little trouble building up a 6-2 lead over Robert Milkins in the opening session of their second round tie.
Earlier, little-known Welshman Anthony Davies beat Alan McManus 10-7 to reach the last 16.
It was third time lucky for Davies, who fell at the first hurdle in two previous visits to The Crucible and he now faces Stephen Hendry for a place in the quarter-finals.
The opening session in Jimmy White's second round match against Matthew Stevens ended in controversy.
White, clearly frustrated after failing to pot a black, sent the ball flying off the table and conceded the frame with three reds remaining and just a 13-point deficit.
White, who has lost six times in the final, faces a tall order to get back into the match from 6-2 down.
