John Higgins, still mourning the death of his father, began his defence of the Welsh Open title at Newport with a 4-3 win over Jack Lisowski that was a little too close for comfort.

Lisowski, an exceptionally promising 19-year-old from Gloucester who has risen to 62nd in the rankings in his maiden professional season, seized the opening frame with a 70 break but midway through the second stopped potting balls from all angles and lost it on the pink.

Higgins, although understandably well below his best, went 3-1 up but the young left-hander rallied to 3-3 before the world No1 focused his concentration and utilised his vast experience to clinch the decider with a timely run of 59.

In a tearful press conference, Higgins said: "My mum told me to come down and do my dad proud. I hadn't picked a cue up [since he died] but it's what my dad would have wanted.

"I was thinking about him being here last year. I was all over the place. I couldn't concentrate but it was good to be back."

Even in his highly emotional state the three-time world champion had kind words for his opponent: "He reminded me of a young Jimmy White. He's got a bright future because he's a great talent."

The most dramatic finish of the day involved the Stoke veteran Dave Harold, who came from 3-1 down for his 4-3 win over Ricky Walden.

Walden contributed heavily to his own downfall. Ahead by 41 in the decider, he stood over a not difficult green that would have put him 44 in front with only 43 on the table. Instead of conservatively making sure of the green, he played a power shot for position on the penultimate red and let Harold in for a cool match-winning clearance of 43.