KARACHI Pakistan's Mohammad Sajjad opened the 6-Red World Grand Prix Snooker Championship on an impressive note when he blanked noted professional John Higgins 5-0 in the opener in Bangkok on Tuesday.

According to information made available here, Sajjad who was awarded first three frames due to the late arrival of his opponent for the match, completed the rout by winning the next two against much seasoned opponent.

Fresh from his triumph, the Sargodha-born cueist later whipped another celebrity Nappadon Noppachorn (Thailand) 5-4 in gruelling battle.

Sajjad's compatriot Raees Khan, meanwhile, had a poor start as he went down to England's Peter Ebdon 0-5 in his opening fixture.