John Higgins over first hurdle as he ties up win over Stephen Lee

Higgins led 6-3 from the first session, in which he made three centuries, and added his fourth of the match immediately on the resumption to stretch his lead.

When the Scot increased his lead to five frames, Lee looked forlorn in his seat. But the Trowbridge potter began to make inroads when a break of 101 gave him the next frame, and he looked to be playing well as he added the 13th.

It was imperative that Lee maintained such form on his return to the arena, but he left Higgins an easy starting red, and that proved a costly error. Higgins plundered a frame-winning break to leave himself one away from victory, and although a missed red meant he missed out on a fifth century in the match at the end, a solid opening victory was secure.

Higgins now takes on Rory McLeod, the man accused by his first-round victim Ricky Walden of utilising "painful" tactics which would kill the game if every player adopted them.

The world No 1 and world champion from 1998, 2007 and 2009 thinks 40-year-old Englishman McLeod probably did not deserve those comments.

"He's maybe been unfairly criticised," Higgins said. "There was lots of tension from Rory because he knew the TV cameras were on him and he wanted to do himself justice.

"I'm expecting Rory to come out and play a lot better in his second match. I can't afford to think it's an easy match because it's certainly not that."

Higgins has played many slow opponents in his near 20-year career, and has no fears about taking on another. "Obviously it's tougher but you just get on and play your match," he said. "If you play well and keep the other guy off the table the match can run smoothly."

Higgins felt some tension before coming out into the arena, putting it down to familiar opening-match nerves.

He said: "I was edgy but I'm delighted to get through."

And he played down his status as favourite, adding: "There'll be people thinking I am the man to beat and others who think others are the players to beat."

Mark Selby is also well fancied for the title this year and moved closer to his maiden Crucible win yesterday when he completed a first-round 10-1 win over debutant Jimmy Robertson with the minimum of fuss.

Selby, who had an 8-1 overnight lead and now faces seven-times winner Stephen Hendry in the second round, marries fiancee Vicki in Cancun, Mexico, on 24 May.

He is looking for a memorable fortnight before focusing on his big day.

"Before this tournament I don't know if I was more nervous about the wedding or the World Championship," said the 27-year-old."It'll be a great occasion anyway, the wedding, but it'd be nice to put the icing on the cake and to go there as world champion."