Excellent Stevens takes opening PLS night - 18/08/2011

John Higgins 0-3 Matthew Stevens
18-91 (Stevens 91), 0-95 (Stevens 95), 10-65 (Stevens 35)

Matthew Stevens won the opening night of the PartyPoker.com Premier League Snooker as he recorded two 3-0 wins against Neil Robertson and then John Higgins in the final to take six points and head the early league table.

The Welshman looked relaxed and fluent in the final and kept his rhythm going to record breaks of 91 in the first and then 95 to take a 2-0 lead. Higgins, who had beaten Jimmy White 3-0 in the opening match of the evening, was short on chances and Stevens took the third frame to take the match in a quick time of 29 minutes and 19 seconds.

Play resumes on Thursday September 1st at the Guildford Spectrum where Jimmy White takes on Mark Williams and Ronnie O'Sullivan meets Shaun Murphy.

“It’s a short format and there are ten great players so it’s always going to be tough,” said a delighted Stevens.

“You don’t expect to win 3-0 twice as these once these guys get in they generally win the frame but luckily they missed a few balls and it’s a funny game snooker.

“I’m delighted to be in the Premier League and it’s nice to be competing against the top players as I haven’t done it for a while.

“In fact, I haven’t been in the Premier League for nine years so I watched it on Thursday nights and I’m so happy to be in it. I’m working hard and looking forward to the next one against Ronnie O’Sullivan.”