Higgins battles past Jack Lisowski in Welsh Open

Scotland's world number one, returning to action after the death of his father earlier this month, came through 4-3 against the Gloucestershire teenager.

Masters champion Ding Junhui was also tested in his opener, going 2-0 down to Marcus Campbell before winning 4-3.

Six-time world championship runner-up Jimmy White was hammered 4-0 by Wales's Ryan Day in the qualifying round.

Lisowski, 19, let Higgins know he was in a game by sneaking the first frame in a flying start featuring some lovely shots.

He was less accurate in the second as Higgins brought it back to 1-1 and the slip-ups continued, allowing the Scot to produce several 50-something breaks to lead 3-1.

Higgins was making mistakes of his own, however, and after a 47 enabled Lisowski to take it to 3-2, the youngster levelled the match.

But the three-time world champion's class told in the end as Lisowski wasted his opportunity and Higgins held on to set up a last-16 clash with Dave Harold, who overcame Ricky Walden 4-3 earlier.

An emotional Higgins admitted after his win: "I was all over the place today, I couldn't concentrate. But it was good to be back playing.

"I'd not picked up a cue, but to play was what my dad would have wanted. I was thinking about him being here last year.

"My mum told me to come down and do my dad proud."

Meanwhile Lisowski told BBC Radio Gloucestershire: "It was 4-3, it was a close game but I did myself justice I think and there's a lot to learn, there's a lot of positives from the game.

"But at the same time I had a chance in the last frame and just screwed it up a little bit, so that's a bit disappointing, but overall loads of positives."

In the early session, China's Ding found himself in trouble against Campbell in their best-of-seven-frames encounter but fought back to triumph 4-3.

In other matches, Ali Carter had to come from 2-1 and 3-2 down before beating Barry Hawkins 4-3, while Mark King was a 4-1 winner over Michael Holt, Matthew Stevens beat Anthony Hamilton 4-2, and Jamie Cope edged past Rory McLeod 4-3.