World champion John Higgins crashed out of the Masters here on Wednesday after one of the most error-strewn performances in the Scot's career.
Higgins was beaten 6-3 by Northern Ireland's Mark Allen, who advances to a quarter-final meeting with Mark Selby, conqueror of Chinese star Ding Junhui.
Higgins was bidding for a hat-trick of Masters titles following his previous triumphs in 1999 and 2006 but he never looked in contention at Wembley.
Arguably the turning point in the match came in the fourth frame, which Higgins - who was experiencing his ninth first round defeat in the tournament - looked set to win before he touched a red with his cue as he was lining up a black.
The uncharacteristic lapse enabled Allen to open up a two-frame lead at the interval and, despite a string of errors, the world number 11 was able to keep the even more erratic world number one at bay to complete a 6-3 win.
Allen admitted he had not been at his best, and recognised Higgins had been very off-form.
"It wasn't very good," he said. "I missed too many balls and it was an unusual John Higgins out there today. Everyone has their off days, it's just unexpected."
Higgins, who is the provisional world number one, was gracious in defeat.
"I never seem to play well here," he admitted. "I can only liken it to a golfer who doesn't play well on certain courses.
"I've lost so many first round matches but its in the manner in which I've lost them.
"Take nothing away from Mark, if you look at the points total he had about a 1000 and I had around a 100. I was lucky to win three frames today."
In Wednesday's late match, Welshman Ryan Day swamped Englishman Joe Perry winning 6-0.
Copyright 2010 AFP European Edition
