Snooker: Higgins having a crystal ball

John Higgins today took the first step towards fulfilling the prophecy of a nightclub clairvoyant who told him he would meet Ronnie O’Sullivan in this year’s Embassy World Championship final.

The 1998 Crucible hero reached the second round with a convincing 10-4 victory over fellow Scot Graeme Dott, producing some impressive break-building as he booked a clash with either Marco Fu or Chris Small.