Stephen Lee fell at the first hurdle at the Betfred.com World Championship for a sixth straight year, going down 10-6 to Andrew Higginson.
Qualifier wins five out seven frames in Tuesday's evening session
Stephen Lee fell at the first hurdle in the Betfred.com World Championship yet again, going down 10-6 to Andrew Higginson.
The qualifier from Widnes had held a 5-4 lead after a tight opening session but was simply too good for his opponent on Tuesday evening, winning five out of seven frames to progress in the tournament.
The defeat means world number eight Lee has now gone out in the opening round at the Crucible in Sheffield for six straight years.
"I'm over the moon to get through," former Welsh Open finalist Higginson told
World Snooker.
"Stephen's been the most consistent player over the last three or four months, he's been the best player in the world in my eyes, so to play him and to get one over on him is an achievement in itself, so I'm thrilled.
"It's fantastic just to play here, to actually win and look up and see your friends and family it just makes it that little bit more special."
Higginson will now play fellow qualifier Jamie Jones, who himself caused a shock with a 10-4 triumph over former champion Shaun Murphy, next.
In the other match in action on Tuesday night, world number one Mark Selby fell 6-3 behind against Barry Hawkins after the opening session.
Selby, who recovered from a neck problem just in time to play in the tournament, appeared rusty after limited practice. He lost the last three frames to trail, with Milkins managing four breaks of 50 or more.
