John Higgins buzzing as 147 makes it a perfect 10 in Belfast

The world No 6 enjoyed a remarkable afternoon at the Coral Northern Ireland Open, adding breaks of 130 and 137 to his perfect frame to overcome Sam Craigie 4-1 and reach the last 32 in Belfast.

Coming on the back of winning the China Championship and last week’s Champion of Champions, it is a run which seems far from coming to an end for Higgins.

But the golden touch was saved for the final frame, a 147 that included an audacious double on the final red – a shot never in doubt according to the confident look on Higgins’ face.

“It was a great break, you never get a bad 147 so I’m absolutely over the moon, I’m on a massive buzz,” he said.

“After the last two weeks I’ve had and finishing off a good quality match like that it is an unbelievable feeling.

“I’m feeling confident and that’s half the battle in this game. I’ve been through the times you don’t feel confident and it is the hardest game in the world but just now it seems easy.

“I played great, made three big breaks and when you do that you can kill the game before you know it. I’m riding on the crest of a wave at the minute.

“This is probably the best feeling I’ve had while playing snooker, my form is really good and you don’t know if those feelings will come back.

“Things are going well and you just have to enjoy while it lasts.”

There was further Scottish delight as Fraser Patrick eased past Welshman Duane Jones 4-0 to reach the last 32.

He will be joined by Scott Donaldson, who got the better of Kurt Dunham in a 4-3 thriller, setting him up to face 2002 world champion Peter Ebdon.

But it wasn’t to be for world semi-finalist Alan McManus in the Titanic Exhibition Centre, as having beaten compatriot Stephen Maguire in the first round, the Scot suffered a 4-0 defeat by world No 93 Sanderson Lam.

Watch the Northern Ireland Open LIVE on Eurosport 1 and Quest, featuring daily studio analysis from Ronnie O’Sullivan, Jimmy White and Neal Foulds.