Report From Ally Pally - HIGGINS EASES THROUGH AT ALLY PALLY

BGC Masters Day 3: JOHN Higgins eased his way into the quarter finals of the Masters with a 6-2 victory over Matthew Stevens. (Suzy Jardine - Ally Pally, London)

John Higgins

The World Champion looked in fine touch from the start as he rolled in a 90 break to account for the first frame. Stevens, though a former winner of this prestigious title responded by taking the second frame to level at 1-1.

But from then it was John who dominated as he took the third with a break of 60 and then controlled frame four to leave himself 3-1 at the mid session interval.

Two frames adrift Stevens badly needed the fifth frame if he was to stay in contention. And when Higgins missed a red to the centre on 34 Stevens's chance had come. As he stroked in a break of 65 it looked as if the frame would be done and dusted herein. 

Matthew Stevens

But a miss on the final green with the rest meant he was forced to sweat a little as Higgins went in search of the two snookers he required to snatch the frame. He found one as he left the cue ball tight behind the blue with the green in open play. Stevens couldn't find the escape route this time and with just one more snooker required Matthew knew he couldn't afford any mistakes. And this time he was destined not to make one as he sunk a table length brown and then ultimately the blue to close to 2-3.

Higgins though soon re-asserted his authority and re-established his two frame buffer when he took the sixth and then claimed a 5-2 lead with the help of a 69 to leave himself one frame from victory.

And the formalities were soon completed as the Scotsman ran out a 6-2 winner and booked himself a quarter final with either Ali Carter or Graeme Dott.


Read More: BGC Masters 2012 Results/Draw, Live Streaming & Match/TV Schedule