John Higgins out of Maplin UK Championship at the hands of Stoke's Jamie Cope

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But despite his best efforts, the Scot saw his 22-year-old opponent win four frames in under an hour to make sure of his place in the second round.

"It was funny because I was quite pleased to be 5-3 down the way the match had gone, but looking back on it last night I missed a good chance to level at 3-3," reflected Higgins.

"He had a good break to go 4-2 and then I should have made it 4-3, and he did another good break to go 5-2. He could have nicked the last one, which would have been unbelievable to go 6-2.

"I saw Stephen Hendry say it after he got beaten, but I do feel as though I'm hitting the ball well - and I'm coming up against guys like Jamie.

"I don't know whether it's a compliment but maybe they're raising their games because they know they're playing the world champion.

"You've got to rise above that as the world champion and try to combat that. I'm not doing that at the minute."

Higgins had match breaks of 100, 50, 55 and 62, but admitted his performance in the second half of the match was not up to standard.

"I never showed up in the second session - and I don't know why because I was feeling really good," admitted Higgins.

"I didn't do a hell of a lot wrong. The way he played, which we all know he is capable of, was very good. I'm disappointed."

Cope finished runner-up at last season's China Open in Beijing and also at the Royal London Watches Grand Prix in Aberdeen.

And having lost 5-2 to Higgins in the first round of the Shanghai Masters in August, it was understandable that the world number 22 was delighted with his revenge.

Cope pocketed breaks of 87, 48 and 50 in the second session, having earlier compiled breaks of 133, 137, 53 and 63 to forge ahead.

"I played great, I really enjoyed the whole match," said Cope.

"I started off well and carried it on. That's definitely the biggest win of my career, it's great having beaten the world champion.

"To beat him playing well is a good feeling. I'm just looking forward to trying to get on a roll and trying not to miss."

Next up for Cope is a second-round meeting with Beckenham's Barry Hawkins. Hawkins fought back from 7-3 down to beat Ali Carter 9-8 in their first-round match.