THRILL PRIDE FOR HIGGINS
Wizard can’t believe he’s chasing fifth world title
John Higgins couldn’t hide his pride as he claimed his place in a seventh world final.
The Wizard of Wishaw magically won his first Crucible crown back in 1998 beating defending champion Ken Doherty 18-12.
And the Scot became the first man to reach back-to-back finals on the game’s grandest stage in his 40s after beating English young gun Kyren Wilson 17-13 in a gripping semi-final.
“I’m just proud to reach another final, but I’ll need to start a lot better to win that,” admitted Higgins, who is chasing a fifth Crucible crown.
“I’m so proud that 20 years after winning my first one I’m sitting here ready to compete in another one.
“To come back here and reach a second final in a row is a great moment for me.
“I can’t wait for the final. I had a great time in the final, other than the result, last year and I’ll have a great two days no matter what happens.
“I haven’t had many family members here. They didn’t want to tempt fate but they’ll be jumping in cars down now and that will be brilliant.”
Higgins is gunning to become the oldest player to land the most prized possession in the green- baize game since Ray Reardon’s age- defying 1978 triumph at the age of 45.
Last season Higgins suf fered a painstaking defeat as he collapsed from a commanding 10- 4 lead to lose 18-15 to three-time champion Mark Selby.
That disappointing defeat was Higgins’ second in a Crucible final after losing to rival Ronnie O’Sullivan in 2001. But he’s looking to go one step better this time around to add to his already bulging trophy cabinet.
The 30-time ranking- event winner thought his chances of levell ing O’Sullivan’s tally of five world crowns could have been over after last year.
But victory would secure Higgins the record £ 425,000 winner’s cheque and move him one behind boyhood idol Steve Davis’ six world crowns and two behind Stephen Hendry’s record of seven.
Higgins was far from his prolific break-building best during the early stages of the match but led throughout and resumed yesterday afternoon needing just four frames to reach the showcase final, 13-11 ahead.
And the Scot held his advantage as Wilson missed some audacious pots when trying to force the match.
Wilson opened up the concluding session with a timely 96 to move within one of Higgins once again.
But a classy clearance of 136 put Higgins 15-12 up before the Warrior battled back with 53 of his own.
The Scot moved within one frame of a seventh Crucible final with a 100 run before closing out the match with a 98.
“Playing Kyren reminded me of playing Mark Selby in the 2007 final,” reflected 42-year-old Higgins.
“You just got a feeling and an aura off Kyren that he was going to win and pot everything. It’s quite tough to play against because no matter where you leave him you think he’s going to pot it.
“We’ve seen what Selby has done in the last 10 years and Kyren can do that in the future. The adrenaline kicked in near the end when I could see the finishing line and I played my best stuff.”