Williams and Higgins dumped out of Masters
Higgins fought back from 5-3 down before losing the decider
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Monday, 15, Jan 2007 10:08
Former world champions Mark Williams and John Higgins have both crashed out in the first round of the Masters in Wembley.
Welshman Williams was thumped 6-0 by Nathan Robertson while Scot Higgins lost 5-6 to compatriot Stephen Maguire.
Robertson will now face Maguire in the second round later this week.
Aussie Robertson, 24, made three centuries and three half-century breaks to cruise through to the last 16.
Williams, a Masters winner in 1998 and 2003, suffered his first ever whitewash at the event.
Robertson said it was his greatest performance despite a lack of practice.
"My preparation for the match was bad. At 10.45 GMT I was running to the venue in my [playing] shoes," Robertson said.
"I was up at 09:20 GMT, which is early for me, but I left a few things behind and had to wait for my friends to bring them to me. I only got eight minutes practice in because I was late.
"I'm so happy with my life right now. I was just really pleased with the way I played."
Meanwhile, Higgins fought back twice from two frames down to level against Maguire.
But the 31-year-old missed a routine red in the deciding frame and Maguire 25, cleared up to seal his place in the last 16.
Maguire said that his six-week-old son Finn had been keeping him awake at night.
"Finn has had colic and it will take three months to pass through him," Maguire said.
"Sharon [his fiancee] has been brilliant getting up most of the nights and letting me sleep a little bit, so I will try and stay here as long as a can and get some kip.
"People will ask me why I wanted to win the Masters and I will tell them it was because I wanted to sleep."
Tomorrow's action sees Ronnie Sullivan face Ali Carter while Peter Ebdon clashes with Stephen Lee.