• Snooker

Higgins humbled by Cao Yupeng

ESPN staff
October 29, 2012
Out: John Higgins tasted defeat to Cao Yupeng © PA Photos
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John Higgins suffered a shock defeat at the hands of Cao Yupeng in the first round of the International Championship in Chengdu.

Higgins bounced back from an indifferent run of form when beating Judd Trump in the final of Shanghai Masters recently, but was sent spinning out of another Asian event.

The world No. 3 knocked in breaks of 71 and 73 to take the first two frames, but Cao kept his cool and reeled off five frames on the spin. Higgins potted ten reds with blacks before breaking down on 80 to cut the deficit, but Cao took the ninth to close out the win.

Higgins was quick to praise his opponent, claiming he is "definitely one to watch", but felt he paid the price for missing too many makeable balls.

"It's a big tournament so I'm gutted to go out in the first round," Higgins said. "I started well but then I missed a lot of chances and I didn't deserve to win. Cao is definitely one to watch."

World No. 1 Mark Selby made breaks of 63, 51, 50 and 59 in his 6-3 win over Ali Carter.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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