Higgins and Perry win at Grand Prix

John Higgins and Joe Perry both won on the opening day of the Royal London Watches Grand Prix in Glasgow.

Scotland's Higgins whitewashed Anthony Hamiltion 5-0 at the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre, while Englishman Perry struggled to overcome good friend and compatriot Barry Hawkins 5-3.

Higgins gave his home fans plenty to savour with breaks of 97, 65, 134 and 58.

But, in control at 3-0 ahead, Perry saw Hawkins battle back to 3-3 and nearly force a decider.

Breaks of 64, 41 and 59 gave Cambridgeshire's Perry a welcome lead, but Hawkins dug deep and forced the issue with runs of 75 and 61.

Last season's World Championship semi-finalist reflected: "The scoreline said I cruising, but I never felt comfortable out there.

"We're really good friends, so it felt really strange out there. For some reason I just couldn't get going, I was a little bit nervous.

"I didn't play anywhere near my best form. But luckily the last frame went scrappy, which helped me, because I never fancied clearing up at one visit."

World number five Higgins appeared to be on top form against Hamilton. Yet despite not dropping a frame in his opening match, he is still short of confidence.

"I hit the ball okay, but I'm still not that confident. I've been struggling for the last couple of years and I'm not sure why," he said.

"I know I won the world title (in 2007), but that's the only tournament I've won in three years.

"I'm capable of stringing a few matches together, but I'm not doing that regularly enough."

"There's no better feeling than winning tournaments, and if you're not doing that then you get a bit down.

"You see other players lifting trophies and you think 'I'm as good as him'."

Higgins won a fragmented first frame, before a break of 97 saw the Scot double his advantage.

Hamilton broke down on a break of 47 in the next, and Higgins won it with a run of 65 - before breaks of 134 and 58 followed to help the 33-year-old deservedly progress.

"This is a big season for me," he added.

"I've never been one to dedicate myself to snooker in the way that Steve Davis and Stephen Hendry did. But I've still got the desire and the hunger to win titles."

Higgins does not know who he will play in the last 16 stage yet because a new random draw is being operated at this year's event, but he would be happy to miss out on a clash with crowd favourite Ronnie O'Sullivan.

"I'm all for the draw - it adds something different," he said.

"I'll be glued to the TV on Tuesday and nervous about who I'm playing next.

"Ronnie is a bit like Manchester United at the moment; he's winning most of the big events. Maybe I'm like Liverpool - I can beat the big boys on my day."

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