Higgins claims victory

World champion John Higgins started his Royal London Watches Grand Prix campaign with a welcome win on Monday night.

Last season's Crucible king fought back from 1-0 down to beat Chinese youngster Tian Pengfei 4-2 in his opening group match at the Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre.

The world number one made breaks of 57, 71, 50 and 107 - after Pengfei had won the opening frame by knocking in a 64.

Pengfei also had a break of 54, but Scot Higgins proved too strong and is understandably keen to make his mark on home soil.

"It's pleasing to get that first win under my belt," he said. "If you lose, then you're on the back foot straight away.

"I've never seen him [Pengfei] play before, but he was full of confidence. He walked around the table as if he didn't have a care in the world.

"There's still a long way to go, but I'd like to do well in Scotland. You always want to play well in front of a home crowd."

Higgins' fellow Scot Graeme Dott is facing an early exit, after losing both his opening matches.

The 2006 world champion lost his opening match to Ali Carter and then came off second best against compatriot Marcus Campbell too. Dott needs to win his last three group matches to have a chance of reaching the last 16.

Ken Doherty suffered a 4-3 opening loss to fellow Dubliner Michael Judge.