World Snooker Championship: John Higgins closing in on second-round meeting with impressive Jack Lisowski

Four-time snooker world champion John Higgins has the chance to reach the World Championship second round on Wednesday evening after racking up a comprehensive lead against Thepchaiya Un-Nooh in their opening session.

The 42-year-old headed into the interval with a 3-1 lead, before taking his fourth frame. Un-Nooh claimed the further two before Higgins passed up the opportunity of a maximum 147 break. The Scot notched breaks of 104 and 59 to claim the final two frames before the interval.

The two resume in Wednesday’s evening sessions which is set to get underway at 7pm at the Crucible. The victor is set to face the impressive 26-year-old Jack Lisowski in the last 16, who beat the 2015 world champoion Stuart Bingham 10-7.

Two-time champion Mark Williams meanwhile is safely through to the second round of the World Championship after he beat Jimmy Robertson 10-5 at the Crucible on Wednesday. The Welshman, who won the title in 2000 and 2003, came into the clash in fine form after finishing Tuesday’s session with an emphatic 7-2 score-line.

He did not get off to the best start however as he lost the opening two frames but did score a tournament-high 140 followed by another impressive 100 to go 9-4 up and eventually, secured the victory.

Williams was in fine form throughout the day and told that he is eyeing victory in the competition.

“I am coming into the Crucible playing the best stuff I have played for many years. Who knows if I can win it, but I have as good a chance as anyone," Williams said.

He will now play Robert Milkins in the next round after he also sealed his progression to the next round as he fought off a fight back from Neil Robertson.

Coming into Wednesday’s session with a 6-3 lead, Milkins was the clear favourite to progress. Robertson though took the opening two frames to cut the deficit to only one.

The 42-year-old though wrapped up the victory in stylish fashion as he claimed the final four frames to oust the 2010 winner and reach the second-round.