The line-up for the Welsh Open quarter-finals is not so much a who’s who of snooker as a who’s that?

John Higgins joined the growing list of high-profile casualties at the Welsh Open when he suffered a shock 5-4 defeat to Thailand’s James Wattana at Newport tonight.

Revitalised veteran Ken Doherty was more than halfway towards his first world ranking title in five years after taking charging of the Malta Cup final today.

Ken Doherty admitted he had been in a battle after moving a step closer to ending a five-year barren period by beating Graeme Dott 6-3 to reach the Malta Cup final at the Portomaso Hilton today.

If Barry Pinches shocks Stephen Hendry in the last 16 of the Malta Cup tonight, expect thanks to be extended to Norwich bank manager Stephen Feeney.