Golden oldie
WORLD SNOOKER JOHN ROLLS BACK YEARS
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JOHN HIGGINS is silencing his doubters – including the ‘King of the Crucible’ Stephen Hendry.
Scot Higgins, who turns 42 in two weeks’ time, is bidding to become the oldest winner of the Betfred World Championship for 39 years at Sheffield’s Crucible Theatre.
Welsh legend Ray Reardon lifted the trophy in 1978 aged 45, then reached the final again four years later, losing to Alex Higgins.
But this year it is John Higgins who is flying the flag for the over-40s, with record seven-time world champion Hendry admitting he once feared his compatriot was finished.
The world No.6, who last lifted the trophy six years ago, suffered a long slump before winning six big titles in the last two years.
He now leads Barry Hawkins 10-6 in their best-of-33 frames semi-final – and Hendry accepts he has been proved wrong by the four-times winner.
Hendry, now retired and a BBC commentator, said: “A lot of the players winning tournaments these days are in their 40s.
“John went through a period of two or three years when I thought he was in trouble. He looked so devoid of confidence and didn’t look to be enjoying playing and I recognised those feelings, because they made me retire.
“So I did wonder if John was nearing the end of his career. But he has really proved me wrong.
“When you get older you need the inspiration of big events. All the small, stupid tour events made me retire. They did nothing for me. Maybe John is the same.”
Hawkins started the day trailing 5-3 and won the ninth thanks to a marker’s blunder.
Hawkins missed the reds twice and needed to hit them with his third attempt or be docked a frame by referee Paul Collier.
But a white ball replaced incorrectly after consultation with the marker gave Hawkins a sight of another red, which he potted, going on to take the frame and leaving Higgins seething.