Higgins under pressure at the Crucible

John Higgins has his work cut out tomorrow if he is to avoid becoming another top name to make an early exit from the Embassy World Championships at the Crucible Theatre.

Andy Hicks removed world number 14 Quinten Hann in a bad-tempered affair this afternoon but it will be a far bigger shock if 1998 world title holder Higgins falls to Welshman Ryan Day.

Day, one of two newcomers in Sheffield this year, resumes with a 5-4 lead over the struggling Scot.

And there is no guarantee Higgins can overturn his deficit after a two-year silverware famine.

He looked comfortably in control when he took four of the first five frames.

Indeed, the 28-year-old Scot compiled a superb 131 break in frame five – the highest of the championship so far.

However, Day, who looked nervous early on, recovered his composure to stamp his authority on proceedings.

Day began his recovery with a run of 111 and claimed frame seven after Higgins knocked in both a respotted black and the cue ball.

The Welshman had to win five matches to book his Sheffield debut and went on to add two more frames to gain an invaluable overnight advantage.

However, with 10 more frames available tomorrow afternoon Higgins still has plenty of opportunity to make his experience tell.