JOHN HIGGINS came crashing back to earth after a 4-0 defeat at the Indian Open in Mumbai.

The four-time world snooker champion from Wishaw has been on a high since claiming his 26th ranking title at the Welsh Open last month, but Mark Davis was an emphatic winner of the last-16 tie, producing breaks of 72, 87 and 66, while Higgins managed just 38 points in four frames.

Larkhall's 2006 world champion Graeme Dott also bowed out to Gloucester player Robert Milkins despite taking the opening frame with a 69 break.

Milkins hit back to protect his world top 16 position and end Scottish interest in the tournament with a 4-2 victory.

MOTOR-SPORT: Mercedes duo Nico Rosberg and reigning champion Lewis Hamilton were separated by a tenth of a second after the two 90-minute sessions ahead of the season-opening Australian Grand Prix at Melbourne Park tomorrow.

Hamilton said: "We have a great car, great speed, but still the car is not perfect, so that is something we need to work on. It's obviously going to be very close, and I still have a lot of work to do with balance."

Sauber's Jenson Button finished second practice a staggering 3.7secs adrift of Rosberg.

CRICKET: England rounded off a hugely disappointing World Cup campaign with a nine-wicket win over Afghanistan, with their elimination from the competition confirmed in the defeat to Bangladesh last Monday.

CYCLING: Team Sky's Richie Porte and Geraint Thomas remain in contention for the week-long Paris-Nice title after the fifth stage was won by Davide Cimolai (Lampre) in a bunch sprint.

Poland's Michal Kwiatkoswki (Etixx-QuickStep) retained the race leader's yellow jersey after the 192.5-kilometre stage from St Etienne to Rasteau.