Lee sent packing by Higginson

Qualifier Andrew Higginson caused an upset of a kind by knocking out world number eight Stephen Lee.

For Trowbridge potter Lee, it was a sixth successive defeat in the first round in Sheffield as he went down by a 10-6 margin.

Higginson had battled hard to forge a 5-4 lead in Monday's evening session and he continued where he left off with a fine performance which saw him win five of the seven frames played on Tuesday night.

"I'm over the moon to get through," former Welsh Open finalist Higginson told World Snooker.

"Stephen's been the most consistent player over the last three or four months, he's been the best player in the world in my eyes, so to play him and to get one over on him is an achievement in itself, so I'm thrilled.

"It's fantastic just to play here, to actually win and look up and see your friends and family it just makes it that little bit more special."

Higginson will now play fellow qualifier Jamie Jones and added: "Jamie wasn't gifted the match against Shaun Murphy, he won it and played really well.

"Everyone was expecting Murphy to get through and all the seeds, but the standard of the game is very very high and Jamie deserves to be where he is because of the way he played.

"I know I'm in for a tough match and I hope he is as well."