GETTY Peter Ebdon insists his vegan diet was the key to beating Stuart Bingham

The 45-year-old was convinced his vegan diet was a key factor in recovering from a second-round win over Dominic Dale that finished at 1.30am yesterday. And the world No.34, a former world and UK champion himself, was forced straight back on the table against world No2 Bingham at 1pm in the afternoon. But veteran grinder Ebdon, renowned as one of the toughest players to beat on the tour, shrugged off the preparation to complete a 6-3 victory and reach the last 16. Ebdon saved his best until last, producing a break of 109, his highest of the match, to close out the contest. He said: "I thought I was going out in the small hours this morning - and now I am through two more rounds.

GETTY Bingham (pictured) was beaten 6-3 as Ebdon progressed to the last 16

"You can never get to sleep straight away after any match let alone a tense one that you win in a decider. "I got to sleep about 3am, had about five hours, then some organic fruit during the morning - bananas, apples and grapes. "And absolutely, it is massive in situations like this, it is where the diet can makes a difference, helping you to recover. I feel as fresh as a daisy. "It is always great to beat any reigning world champion, though Stuart wasn't at his best today." Bingham, 39, said: "It was a tough battle, you know what you are going to get with Peter and he played well, especially after finishing at 1.30am and not being asleep until 3am.

GETTY John Higgins booked his place in the last 16 with a 6-2 win over Ali Carter

"He controlled the tempo of the match, and it isn't really too much of a shock - look at what he has achieved in the game." John Higgins produced some vintage matchplay to beat England's Ali Carter to also move into the last 16. In-form Higgins, going for a fourth ranking title in the same calendar year, could easily have been well behind early in the contest before making a series of crucial clearances. And the world No7, a three-time winner of this title, saw six pressure breaks of between 52 and 77 carry him through with a 6-2 margin of victory. Carter, who had treatment for lung cancer last year and also suffers from the debilitating Crohn's disease, revealed he had been in extreme pain during the match.

GETTY Higgins will take on Jamie Burnett (pictured) who beat China's Li Hang 6-3