In Brief: O'Brien euphoric as Higgins moans
SNOOKER: Fergal O'Brien and John Higgins had vastly differing takes on their second round encounter at the Northern Ireland Trophy in Belfast yesterday that resulted in a shock 5-4 victory for the methodical Dubliner.
After reaching the last 16 with a pair of century breaks in the closing two frames, O'Brien described the outcome as "one of the biggest wins of my career."
But reigning world champion Higgins, now almost certain to relinquish his hold on top spot in the provisional world rankings, pulled no punches, groaning: "I played garbage. I missed so many easy balls it wasn't true."
Even so, the Scot established a 4-3 lead before world no 37 O'Brien produced two outstanding frames, beginning with a 142 total clearance in the eighth frame. It was his highest break in a world ranking tournament and only one short of his personal best in all pro-competition.
That effort looked to have been in vain when Higgins fired in a long red early in the decider but he surprisingly jawed a red to a corner pocket along the top cushion and, needing no further invitation, O'Brien completed the upset with a composed 114 break.
"As far as satisfying wins go, that has to be right up there with the 1994 Irish Masters at Goffs when I beat Stephen Hendry 5-2 in the quarter-finals. The most pleasing thing was the way I kept my concentration under pressure,'' said O'Brien.
Tonight Ken Doherty bids for a quarter-final place against Kent-based left-hander Gerard Greene, who progressed thanks to a 5-3 victory over the slumping twice world champion Mark Williams.
ITF to probe Haas poison claims
TENNIS: The International Tennis Federation is investigating claims that Germany's Tommy Haas was poisoned during the Davis Cup semi-final defeat to Russia last month.
Doubles partner Alexander Waske told German tabloid Bild: "I was told in Moscow that Haas had been poisoned." Haas played on the opening day of the tie on 21 September but lost in straight sets to Igor Andreev. He was then unable to play the reverse singles clash with Mikhail Youzhny because of stomach pains.
Meanwhile, Serena Williams had to retire because of injury after a set of her opening tie in the Sony Ericsson C'ships against Anna Chakvetadze in Madrid. Williams was losing 5-4 in the first set when she was treated on her heavily strapped left knee by the doctor. Elsewhere, Roger Federer has been drawn in the same group as Andy Roddick during the round-robin stage when he defends his Masters Cup title in Shanghai next week.
