O’Brien’s stunning comeback sends Higgins crashing out

WORLD champion John Higgins crashed to a shock defeat at the Northern Ireland Trophy yesterday.

The world number one was upset 5-4 by Irishman Fergal O’Brien who, facing the exit door himself, hit back with two century breaks to progress to the last 16 stage at Belfast’s Waterfront Hall.

Trailing 4-3 O’Brien compiled a tournament high break of 142 and then pocketed a pressure break of 114 to make sure of his place in the next round of the £200,500 event.

“He (Fergal) had four good frame-winning breaks throughout the match, he played better than me,” reflected a disappointed Higgins.

“I was garbage. I missed so many easy balls. I ran out of position a lot. That sums it up, he just played better than me. It’s just one of those things.”

Higgins looked to be heading through thanks to match breaks of 68, 44 and 44, but with victory just one frame away was forced to sit in his chair as Dubliner O’Brien gave the Irish supporters plenty to cheer.

An understandably delighted O’Brien, who had further match breaks of 66 and 82, will now play either Mark Selby, last season’s world championship runner-up, or Beckenham prospect Barry Hawkins.

“I thought John played well, but it doesn’t get any better than knocking in two tons to beat the world number one and world champion,” said O’Brien, winner of the 1999 British Open.

“I’ve made a good start to the season, it’s been a good year so far. I’m winning a lot more matches, everything is building up nicely.”

Seven-time world champion Stephen Hendry is also through to the last 16, but was given a tough test by provisional world number 83 Martin Gould.

Gould upset former Crucible finalist Matthew Stevens in his first match and at 4-1 down looked to be dead and buried.

But breaks of 75 and 51 saw the qualifier fight back to 4-3, only for Scot Hendry to produce a superb 127 break to clinch victory and a meeting with 2005 Crucible champion Shaun Murphy in the next round.

Two-time world champion Mark Williams was put out by Northern Ireland’s Gerard Greene. Last month’s Aberdeen Grand Prix semi-finalist who was a deserved 5-3 winner.

The pair were forced to take an early interval at 1-1 after both complaining the table was playing badly, but on their return it was Greene who took the initiative.

Breaks of 78, 64, 63 and 60 were enough to earn an all-Irish showdown with former world champion Ken Doherty.

Ryan Day won the all-Welsh battle with Dominic Dale.

He gained a measure of revenge over his compatriot at Belfast’s Waterfront Hall with a welcome 5-1 win.