O'Brien Rolls Back the Years to Oust World Champion

Fergal O'Brien, the British Open champion eight years ago but now 39th in the world rankings, was four times the odd frame behind before producing breaks of 142 and 114 in the remaining two frames to beat John Higgins, the world champion and world No1, 5-4 to reach the last 16 of the Northern Ireland Trophy in Belfast.

Two former world champions, Stephen Hendry and Shaun Murphy, also completed victories with centuries, Hendry's 127 securing his 5-3 win over Martin Gould, last year's English amateur champion, and Murphy's 124 taking him past the post at 5-2 against Anthony Hamilton. Ryan Day's 5-1 win over his fellow Welshman Dominic Dale reversed the result of the Shanghai Masters final. The Malta Cup, dropped by the WPBSA as a world ranking tournament, will go ahead on February 4-10 as an invitation event to which the top 16 and four wild cards will be invited.