Higgins blasts tournament organisers after crashing out at Crucible

Published on Saturday 26 April 2008 20:34

DEFENDING champion John Higgins blasted the tournament organisers over the standard of the tables after crashing out of the 888.com World Championship in Sheffield.

Higgins, aiming to become only the third player to successfully defend the title, lost 13-9 to Welshman Ryan Day in the second round at the Crucible.

The Scot led 4-0 and 6-3 during Friday's play but was pegged back to 8-8 before the start of play yesterday.

Higgins was furious the table had not been re-covered before the start of the second round and accused tournament director Mike Ganley of not doing his job properly.

"I spoke to the tournament director about it, we are playing on the same cloth for eight days and they are going to re-cover them tonight I think," Higgins said. "They should be re-covered before the second round. We've always had these problems.

"We are talking about the biggest tournament in our lives and the answer I get back is that they haven't got the manpower to re-cover the tables before the second round.

"It's flabbergasting and I let it get to me and it's a lesson I have to learn.

"The cushions are totally unplayable. Ryan totally deserved to win and the conditions are for both players but it was a lottery playing off any cushions. It's really pretty pathetic that they are undermanned and can't re-cover them until tonight, but tonight is too late for the likes of myself.

"I don't think the tournament director is doing his job. We are not asking a lot, it should be easily fixed."

Day agreed the conditions were not ideal but added: "There's not a lot you can do about it, we have all played on the same table. I think I dealt with it best."