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.