Scotland’s John Higgins won his second match in as many days as he looks to go all the way at the Shanghai Masters this week. The 42-year-old arrived in China on the back of a disappointing defeat to Ronnie O’Sullivan in the Champion of Champions event last week. He was beaten 6-0 and Higgins admitted he struggled to adjust ahead of his first-round match against Switzerland’s Alexander Ursenbacher.
Higgins won 5-2 in the end but was quick to hit out at the schedule. “I felt like a zombie,” he told World Snooker. “I arrived here (Shanghai) yesterday (Sunday) from the UK and I’ve just basically been in my bed. “I think this is the worst it has been for the players because its been back to UK back to China then back to the UK then China. I think it will affect the players. This has been really punishing.” He showed no signs of tiredness in his match against Ian Preece on Tuesday as he won 5-1.
England’s Judd Trump continued his fine start to the tournament, with victory over Alfie Burden coming just a day after overcoming Northern Ireland’s Joe Swail. Barry Hawkins also booked his place in the next round with a 5-2 victory over world number 61 Daniel Wells. After China’s top player Ding Junhui pulled out due to an eye infection, Yupeng Can will be eager to lay down a marker. He breezed into the next round after beating Michael Holt and is joined by Wenbo Liang, Joe Perry and Robbie Williams after their victories over John Astley, Matthew Selt and Yuan Sijun respectively.
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