GRAND PRIX
Venue: Kelvin Hall, Glasgow Date: Saturday 3 October-Sunday 11 October Coverage: BBC Two, BBC Red Button, BBC Sport website
 Higgins is the defending world and Grand Prix champion |
Ronnie O'Sullivan claims John Higgins has under-achieved in his career but believes the Scot will be in confident mood for the Grand Prix in Glasgow. Higgins, 34, won his third world title in May and will have strong home support when he defends his Grand Prix crown starting on Saturday, 3 October. World number one O'Sullivan said: "John is one of the all-time greats and I think he's actually under-achieved. "It sounds a strange thing to say, but it's because of how highly I rate him." O'Sullivan, who also has three world titles to his name, believes other players share his view of Higgins. "He's the best tactical player ever - ahead of Steve Davis - plus he's a heavy break-builder, so he's got no weaknesses. "Although he's won three world titles, his game is so well suited to the longer-frame tournaments that I would have expected him to win more.  | 606: DEBATE |
"But he's come into this season automatically feeling full of confidence because he's world champion. That's how I was last year and it's a beautiful feeling." O'Sullivan crushed Higgins 6-1 in the semi-finals of the Shanghai Masters, the opening ranking event of the season, earlier this month, before going on to secure his 22nd career title. Higgins, who has 20 titles, opens his Grand Prix campaign against qualifier Mark Joyce on Saturday. O'Sullivan plays Glasgow's Jamie Burnett on Tuesday.
Grand Prix first round draw: J Higgins v M Joyce
M Fu v M Davis
M Selby v K Doherty
J Perry v M Campbell
A Carter v R Milkins
D Junhui v M Stevens
R Day v J Cope
N Robertson v G Greene
S Hendry v M Selt
P Ebdon v Liang Wenbo
S Murphy v B Pinches
M Allen v I McCulloch
R O'Sullivan v J Burnett
M Williams v S Bingham
S Maguire v N Bond
M King v R Walden
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