SHEFFIELD (England), April 25: Robert Milkins secured a second round clash with defending champion Ronnie O’Sullivan in the World Snooker Championship on Wednesday after beating Fergal O’Brien 10-8.

World number three John Higgins raced to an 8-1 lead over Thailand’s James Wattana in the first round while former champion Mark Williams progressed by beating John Parrott 10-7.

Milkins, making his Crucible debut, described his win over O’Brien as the biggest of his career and looked forward to playing O’Sullivan.

“I’ve got no pressure on me at all and if I play well I’ve got a chance. I won’t be negative, in fact I think I’ll be quite sharp,” he said.

Higgins needs just two more frames to advance to the second round at the expense of Wattana.

The Scot compiled three century breaks in a powerful display. His break of 136 in the sixth frame is the highest of the tournament so far.

Williams was disappointed with his performance against Parrott though.

“I think that was the worst and most embarrassing stuff I’ve ever played in my life,” he said after booking his place in the last 16.

“I started off badly and it got even worse. I can’t take any positives out of that match whatsoever. I was like a pig with a machine gun,” added Williams, who won the title two years ago.

Parrott, the 1991 champion, insisted after the match that he had no intention of retiring despite sliding out of the world’s top 16 — he is currently ranked 22nd and had to qualify for this year’s event.

“If I didn’t have the ability to play, I wouldn’t come,” he said. “I just love the game, but it’s frustrating at the moment because I know I can play better.”

Parrott believes that Williams is one of a number of players with a realistic chance of winning this year’s title.

“He’s definitely one of six, seven or eight players in contention. It is wide open,” he said.

Earlier in the day, Anthony Hamilton beat David Harold 10-6. #—Reuters