Snooker: Higgins makes history with second maximum break
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.John Higgins yesterday became the first player to compile a maximum break in successive matches. Higgins, who knocked in a 147 during last month's LG Cup final, made another en route to beating Michael Judge 5-1 in the second round of the British Open in Brighton yesterday.
It earns the world No 4 a £20,000 cash bonus, plus £5,000 for the highest televised break. "I've had quite a few 147s in practice before I came down here," he said. "I never used to play for maximums but just lately they've been going in quite regularly."
The perfect break was the fourth of Higgins' career. He had not even made one in practice until he had become world champion in 1998, and his first in a tournament came at the 2000 Nations Cup. He followed that with another in the Irish Masters. Only Stephen Hendry, with eight, and Ronnie O'Sullivan, with six, have made more maximums. It was the 48th maximum in professional snooker history, the 27th in a world-ranking event and 24th to be made on television.
Steve Davis, who had returned to the elite top 16 after a three-year gap, was beaten 5-3 by Joe Swail. The 46-year-old, who lost 5-4 to Shaun Murphy in last month's LG Cup, again failed to find his form as Swail clinched a place in the last 16.
Swail, twice an Embassy World Championship semi-finalist, dropped out of the top 16 last season. "It's a very good win," he said. "I'm still a bit low in confidence because I've been on a losing run for a couple of years but a few more wins like this should give me a boost."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments