Welsh Open 2023: John Higgins storms into last 32 with victory over Martin Gould, Jack Lisowski also through

John Higgins stormed into the third round of the Welsh Open by whitewashing Martin Gould 4-0 with another impressive performance. Having won his Championship League group last week, Higgins has come into the final Home Nations Series tournament on form after a relatively disappointing season. Ad Next for Higgins following his win is a meeting with Sanderson Lam in the last 32 on Thursday.

The Masters'Best fans in world' – Lisowski on why he is living dream at Masters in 'perfect' venue10/01/2023 AT 09:46 Higgins immediately meant business on Wednesday afternoon in Llandudno as he slotted in a long red into the right corner and made a frame-winning break of 89. Gould was 54 points in front in the next frame but got the cue ball stuck in the pack of reds which meant end of break. The world No.

45 thought he had played a good safety with the white on the bottom cushion, but Higgins had other ideas and brilliantly potted a red into the left centre. From there, he made another big break of 68, including a double on the final brown, to steal the frame. Gould went on the attack at the start of the third but it didn’t work out for him, and then he missed another red to the right middle.

As he had done all match, Higgins stepped in, this time making a 97 to go one away from victory. It looked like Gould was going to get a frame on the board when he was 62-5 ahead in the fourth. However, Gould missed a red and left Higgins in.