A big factor in John Higgins’ lead is how expertly he’s potted the long shots. Trailing Selby by 18 Higgins fizzes a long red into the bottom right corner to get his first point on the board.

It’s not an easy one but the Scot has a chance to win the fourth frame too.

Selby does get the first opportunity to break and adds 11 to his score before leaving Higgins with a snooker to negotiate which he does without too much trouble.

Selby leads 17-0 in the final frame before the interval.

A misjudgement from John Higgins sees him clip the pink when attempting a safe shot into the racked up reds. Selby is awarded six points at the start of the frame.

That’s very handy indeed if he can get on a break first.

It’s the perfect start for John Higgins!

Mark Selby misses the opportunity to roll home the final red to the top right pocket and Higgins tidies up to take the frame. He’s unstoppable at the minute and Selby has work to do.

The world no. 2 needs to win the next frame.

Selby’s nice play puts him within 32 points behind with one red left in play and 35 points remaining. Higgins just needs to pot the red to take the third frame too.

Oh this is going to be another close frame. John Higgins misses a pot on the black to end his break at 63 and leave Mark Selby with another difficult chance to get back in the frame.

Selby does the first job and rolls a red into the bottom left pocket before rolling the black in as a follow up. 59 points remain and Selby is 53 behind.

Three off the remain four reds are in terrible positions though.

Higgins is the man to break the deadlock again.

He gets on the board and needs to think his way through this table, the reds are scattered everywhere but Higgins will be more concerned with how best to pot the colours.

A steady ongoing break sees him notch up 39 points and clear the top half of the table of the red balls.

What a testing frame this is turning out to be.

Tactical play, safety shots and half chances see half the reds knocked up to the opposite end of the table meaning safety shots are more difficult.

John Higgins leaves the cueball on the top cushion before Mark Selby replies with a safety that positions the white over the top right pocket.

Great play.

Higgins adds another four points to lead by 60 and Selby concedes the frame!

It’s been a dominant start from Higgins who takes the opening two frames. Mark Selby will be a little perplexed, he’s not done a lot wrong here but Higgins has been on fire.

A break of 37 from Higgins puts him 56 points ahead with 51 remaining on the table. Mark Selby will come to the table and try to find one of the two snookers he needs to get back in this frame.

Brilliant play from Higgins.