John Higgins has been left delighted after becoming the first player to reach the last 16 of the Northern Ireland Open - but admits Scotland's national team left him with a nervy wait elsewhere.
The wizard of Wishaw recorded a 4-2 win over Luca Brecel, sealing three centuries against the world Number 44, who he last played at the 2020 Welsh Open.
He could face Mark Williams or Jak Jones in the next round. Higgins was just as relieved to see Scotland beat Faroe Islands, needing to wait until the 86th minute before Lyndon Dykes' strike sealed a 1-0 win on Tuesday.
The dramatic six points earned against Israel and Faroe Islands in World Cup 2022 qualification this week means a Scotland win over Moldova next month will seal a World Cup play-off spot.
"They didn't half give me a fright," Higgins told WST of the national team. "After beating Israel, I thought it was going to be plain-sailing. But it never is.
"It's never like that with Scotland. They got the rub of the green again to get the win. There's one more game to go against Moldova and fingers crossed we'll do it."
Higgins opened up with runs of 113 and 105 as he claimed a two-frame advantage against Brecel. His opponent tried to mount a comeback but Higgins was able to fend Brecel off.
"I am really happy with the performance," added Higgins. "It was certainly better than my first two matches. You are always hoping to build into a tournament.
"The conditions were better today as well as it was warmer in the arena. You hope you can keep that form going."
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