But Higgins' fellow Scot Graeme Dott is facing an early exit, after losing both his opening matches.

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Current world champion Graeme Dott's hopes were dealt a blow when he lost 3-1 to Stephen Maguire.

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Ken Doherty, the 1997 champion, plays Joe Swail on Monday, while 2006 winner Graeme Dott plays Jimmy Michie on Tuesday.

BBC: Steve Davis wins qualifier for World Championship

The Northern Ireland Trophy runs from August 13 to 20 and will feature the world's top 32 players including Ronnie O'Sullivan, Stephen Hendry, Ken Doherty, John Higgins and world champion Graeme Dott.

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Graeme Dott is out of the reckoning after losing 4-0 to Anthony Hamilton, his third successive defeat, while world champion and world number one John Higgins cruised to a 4-0 win over Mark King.

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