World Open: Teenager Stan Moody cruises to a 5-4 win over John Higgins in Scotland’s 2000th professional match

Stan Moody held his nerve to claim a 5-4 win over John Higgins at the World Open in the veteran’s 2000th professional bout.

Higgins, 50 years old, succeeded in overturning a 4-1 deficit to beat England’s Modi in the second round in Yushan, China.

But the 19-year-old, ranked 47th in the world, smashed 65 in the deciding frame to dismiss the four-time world champion.

“I’ve watched John grow up and learn the game. To beat him in an important match in China and to do it with a lot of breaks as well is a good feeling,” Moody told World Snooker., external.

“John was a great player. I knew if I let him come back he would come back, so I’m glad I was able to hold my nerve for the playoff.”

Moody’s reward for beating defending champion Higgins is a third-round meeting with Welshman Ryan Day.

Elsewhere at the Yushan Sports Centre, Masters champion Keren Wilson easily beat Liu Haotian 5-2, while world number one Judd Trump cruised to a 5-1 win over Florian Nossl.

World champion Zhao Xintong achieved a 5-4 victory over his Chinese compatriot Long Zihuang.

Mark Williams, Gary Wilson and Jackson Paige advanced ahead of Ricky Walden, Aaron Hill and Liu Winui respectively.