Hawkins enjoys perfect day at Championship League as Higgins makes 980th century

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Barry Hawkins enjoyed four straight wins on the opening day of Group 5 at the Championship League in Leicester on Friday.

The 2013 world finalist completed victories over Joe Perry (3-1), Ricky Walden (3-0), Fan Zhengyi (3-1) and Dave Gilbert (3-0) to leave himself in a strong position to qualify for the semi-finals on Saturday evening at the city’s Morningside Arena.

He is two points clear at the top of the section with John Higgins second on two points from three matches on frames won with Fan and Kyren Wilson also on two points with Walden and Gilbert on one point. Joe Perry is pointless after four straight defeats.

Hawkins produced breaks of 138 and 139 in victory over Gilbert with Higgins moving onto 980 career centuries courtesy of 107 in his 3-0 win over Perry.

The champion from each group qualifies for the winners’ group on March 1 and 2, with the other top four players continuing to Group 6 as the bottom two players are eliminated at the end of each group.

The winner of the Championship League also earns a spot in the Champion of Champions later this year.

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