Bad-tempered Hann exits

By Julian Shea
BBC Sport at The Crucible

Quinten Hann traded insults with his opponent Andy Hicks

Australia's Quinten Hann became the first high-profile casualty when he lost 10-4 in an ill-tempered match with the unseeded Andy Hicks.

Hicks led 6-3 overnight, and kept up his momentum when play resumed, taking the first frame comfortably.

Hann was told off for bad language in the next after missing out on a century break but he took the frame for 7-4.

Hicks held his nerve to take the final three and referee Lawrie Annandale had to step between the players at the end.

"I've played him three times before and always beaten him, and there was a bit of needle from the start," Hann said.

"At the end when he shook my hand he said: 'You're not top 16 next year now.'

"I said 'you're short, bald and always will be, and can have me outside whenever you want'. It was just a bit of fun for the crowd. It was quite funny."

Andy Hicks was keen to play down his post-match confrontation.

He said: "In the middle of the match, he said to me, 'I've enjoyed the last three times I've beaten you', and that started me off.

"I just thought I'd have my say at the end and in the heat of the moment, maybe I said the wrong thing," he added.

"There's no love lost between us, I just speak from the heart and I don't have any grudges. I just wanted to beat him because he'd beaten me before."

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First round result
Andy Hicks (Eng) 10-4 Quinten Hann (Aus)
58-30 16-66 42-58 57-55 69-51 89-0 30-80 102-1 62-25 66-0 0-85 76-38 64-22 78-45