John Higgins leaves Welsh Open star red-faced as he gets telling off | Other | Sport

Liu Wenwei was left embarrassed after being instructed to return to his seat, having been caught out by a fortunate John Higgins fluke. The four-time World Champion comfortably dispatched the emerging Chinese player in the opening rounds of the Welsh Open on Tuesday night with a commanding 4-1 win that secured a last 32 meeting with Bulcscu Revesz.

However, the match had scarcely begun when, during the second frame, Higgins attempted a safety shot off the reds, but unintentionally potted one off the black following a fortuitous double ricochet. Wenwei, who held a 14-point advantage, was eager to level the scoreline after Higgins had claimed the opening frame, was immediately out of his chair to assess his next shot.

He seemingly missed the potted red and presumed Higgins had only executed a safety shot as planned. That’s when Higgins lifted a hand in apology and the referee informed him “return to your seat.”

Meanwhile, last year’s winner Mark Selby crashed out in the first round as he was beaten by Jiang Jun. Selby gave up a two-frame lead to lose 4-3 to the Chinese player, who is ranked 81st in the world.

“I think he’s been put out of his stride, the way Jiang Jun has been playing,” commentator Joe Johnson said on TNT Sports’ coverage of the Welsh Open. “Yes he’s been playing slowly, but he hasn’t been missing. And that can be very upsetting.”

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