John hits new title milestone in India

JOHN HIGGINS achieved another proud career highlight after beating Anthony McGill to win the Indian Open title in Vishakhapatnam.

Higgins’ 5-1 win earned his 29th career ranking title, enabling him to pass the respective totals of Steve Davis and Ronnie O’Sullivan.

The 42-year-old also moved back up to second in the world rankings after his one-sided triumph over defending champion McGill.

Higgins took the opening two frames of the final before McGill responded with a break of 49 to take the third and give himself hope.

But Higgins responded with a 71 to restore his two-frame lead and went on to reel off two more frames in succession to wrap up victory.

Higgins said: “It’s a great feeling to win a tournament because you don’t know when your next one is going to come.

“I’m sure Ronnie will win more ranking events, but just to go above Steve, who was my hero growing up, is an unbelievable feeling.

“I feel my form over the last period has been pretty solid and mhy confidence is high.

“So hopefully I can carry that forward to the rest of the season.

“I’m enjoying my game as much as I ever have. There are a lot of young up-and-coming players which is a challenge.”

LEWIS HAMILTON believes a vision from Ayrton Senna helped inspire him to victory at a rain-hit Singapore Grand Prix on Sunday.

Hamilton benefited from Sebastian Vettel’s sensational crash to march to his third successive win and extend his championship lead to a mighty 28 points.

The British driver claimed he required a miracle here to win after starting only fifth. A dose of wild weather just 15 minutes before the start, and Vettel’s 120mph threeway collision with Ferrari team-mate Kimi Raikkonen and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen on the short run down to turn one, paved the