While Higgins gave glimpses of his pedigree in vanquishing England teenager Joel Walker 4-0, compatriot and World No.5 Stephen Maguire posted a fluent 4-1 win over Paul Davison, and fellow-Scot Anthony McGill knocked out World No.7 Barry Hawkins 4-1.

Walker, ranked 89th, but spoken of highly by the current World champion Ronnie O'Sullivan, was rather disappointing. Playing on a "TV table" for the first time in his fledgling career, the 19-year old committed far too many mistakes while presenting openings to the 38-year old Higgins.