Snooker: O'Sullivan takes early lead against Higgins
( 2001-05-07 09:47 ) (7 )

Ronnie O'Sullivan established a 6-2 lead over John Higgins at the end of the opening session of the Embassy World Championship final.

O'Sullivan won the opening frame with a break of 88, but Higgins levelled immediately after the Englishman had missed a long red.

O'Sullivan regained the lead following a poor safety shot from Higgins and went on to establish a three-frame advantage at 4-1, clearing from the final red to edge the fifth frame 56-47.

A fine 135 clearance from Higgins reduced the arrears but the 1998 champion missed a red using the rest in the following frame to let O'Sullivan in.

O'Sullivan also compiled a break of 70 in the final frame of the session to establish a four-frame advantage.

The matchl is best-of-35-frames, with the winner set to collect a cheque for 250,000 on Monday.