Frustrated David Grace rues missed chances after English Open exit

The Leeds potter went down in seven frames against world No 61 Andrew Higginson as he twice failed to hold onto a lead in Milton Keynes.

Grace, the current world No 68, says he missed a golden opportunity at the Home Nations tournament and a failure to take his chances proved his undoing.

“It’s nice to win matches but I need to be going deeper in tournaments to move up the rankings,” the 35-year-old said.

“Any time you win a couple of games you’re happy to still be in – I felt like I was playing well enough to give anyone a decent game so I’m a bit disappointed to get beat.

“It was a bit scrappy – there was some really good safety and it was just a battle.

“We were battling for ages over the last two reds, I had the first chance, but then didn’t get on the second one.

“I had enough chances so I’ve got no complaints.”

2015 UK Championship semi-finalist Grace raced into a 2-0 lead after a first-frame break of 56 at the Marshall Arena. But he was pegged back by Higginson who restored parity at two apiece.

A see-saw contest unfolded and despite regaining a 3-2 lead, the Yorkshire player was unable to hold on and fell to a disappointing last 32 defeat.

World champion Ronnie O’Sullivan also exited at the third round stage, after a 4-1 defeat to Matthew Stevens.

The six-time world champion was no match for the 43-year-old Welshman, who wrapped up a victory with a break of 116.

Sheffield-based Ding Junhui beat Tom Ford 4-2.

Watch the snooker English Open live on Eurosport, Eurosport app and Quest

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