Four-time world champion John Higgins could not contain his excitement about the future of snooker in Scotland after a productive Sunday at the UK Championships in York.
After Alan McManus, Michael Leslie and amateur Rhys Clark all lost on Saturday at the Barbican, no fewer than six Scots moved into the third round 24 hours later.
Stephen Maguire edged past Belgium’s Luca Brecel before Higgins, Marcus Campbell, Scott Donaldson, Anthony McGill and Jamie Burnett all won.
Higgins, who beat Rod Lawler 6-1 in his second-round match, admits it is helping his own game seeing the cohort of Scottish players continue to impress at York’s Barbican Centre.
Graeme Dott is also in the third round after victory on Saturday and Higgins said: “I was on a break to go 5-1 up and I was more concerned about the game at the far end of the room, where Scott Donaldson was playing Mark Davis.
“That’s a great win for him. I know Rhys was a bit of a rabbit in the headlights when he played Ronnie O’Sullivan but the rest of them are beginning to show potential.
“I think they can do well. It is good to see Scott and Anthony McGill is starting to show his promise.”
Rhys Clark is one of the brightest sparks but world champion Ronnie O’Sullivan blew him away 6-0.
“My family were watching, so that was good, but then again it’s embarrassing,” Clark said. “I know it’s Ronnie but it’s still embarrassing getting beat 6-0.”
Dott was the one Scot to win on Saturday, beating Nigel Bond 6-5, but he admitted to a sloppy display.
He said: “I struggled a lot and felt nervous for some reason, and was just happy to get over the line.”
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