Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, John Higgins is ranked sixth in the world
ByPaul BattisonBBC Sport Journalist- Published32 minutes ago
Defending champion John Higgins held off a fightback from Mark Williams to win 10-8 in the first round of the Tour Championship in Manchester.
Four-time world champion Higgins got off to a slow start as world number four Williams won the first two frames, which included a break of 121.
The deficit sparked Higgins into life, with the 50-year-old Scotsman winning the next seven frames to take control of the match.
Williams, 51, clawed four frames back to trail 7-6, before a break of 110 saw Higgins regain a two-frame cushion.
Breaks of 107 and 76 saw Williams fight back again to level the tie at 8-8, but the Welshman could not sustain his momentum as Higgins won the next two frames to book his place in the last-eight.
Higgins' win sets up a quarter-final tie against Mark Selby, who received a bye in the first round.
Elsewhere, Barry Hawkins beat in-form Thepchaiya Un-Nooh 10-8 to set up a quarter-final against Neil Robertson.
Un-Nooh earned his place at the Tour Championship following his stunning victory over Ronnie O'Sullivan in the World Open final earlier this month.
Chris Wakelin defeated Wu Yize 10-6 and will face Zhao Xintong in the last-eight.
