World champion Neil Robertson cruised into the second round of the UK Championships yesterday as he routed Rory McLeod 9-1, while controversial star John Higgins made a winning return to action.

Robertson needed just two more frames to progress when play resumed in Telford after building a huge overnight lead and the Australian claimed them immediately thanks to breaks of 105 and 84.

Later yesterday, three-time world champion Higgins defeated Stephen Lee 9-6 on his return to competitive action in Britain.

Higgins was making his first appearance in England since he was banned for six months in May for bringing the game into disrepute, despite being cleared following an investigation into claims of match fixing.

The Scot had been level at 4-4 with Lee overnight but after trading the opening two frames the 35-year-old forged ahead to set up a second-round meeting with countryman Graeme Dott.

Dott secured his place in the next round as he reeled off six consecutive frames without reply to beat Martin Gould 9-5.

“It was good to be back playing in a BBC event again, it’s a big tournament and one that I want to do well in,” Higgins told www.worldsnooker.com

“Everyone has been fine with me and it’s enjoyable to be among the other players and doing what I love.

“It was good to play in the PTC events in Germany and Prague and get some matches under my belt but I knew I would still have to play well in the big tournaments.”

Results: Ding Junhui bt Matthew Stevens 9-4; Mark Allen bt Tom Ford 9-5; Mark Selby bt Ricky Walden 9-6; Stephen Maguire bt Ken Doherty 9-6.