Jamie Clarke has advanced to the second round of the Welsh Open after Ronnie O'Sullivan's last-minute withdrawal from the tournament. The seven-time world champion pulled out just four hours before his scheduled match against Clarke in Llandudno.

World Snooker did not provide any reason for O'Sullivan's absence from Llandudno, but Higgins feels it is likely to be down to him bedding in a new piece of equipment. "I think he’ll be back," Higgins is quoted as saying by Metro after his win over Robert Milkins at the Welsh Open.

Ronnie O'Sullivan withdrew from the Welsh Open hours before his first-round match against Jamie Clarke, leaving fans who had travelled to Llandudno to watch him fuming

Ronnie O'Sullivan has withdrawn from the Welsh Open just hours before he was due to make his return to snooker following his absence from the sport in recent weeks