Crucible is tons better!
JOHN HIGGINS believes this year’s World Championship could be the greatest of all time.
An extended break in the calendar due to the coronavirus outbreak has given plenty of potters extra time to practice.
And four-time world champion Higgins expects the standard to exceed levels ever seen before at the Crucible for the event which runs from July 31 to August 16.
“This will probably surpass any tournament with the standard you will see,” said Higgins.
“I’m sure everybody will be a lot more prepared coming to this World Championship.
“Mentally people will be giving it extra because the event could have been taken away from them.
“Everyone will be sharp as a tack. The World Championship takes care of itself. It always has. Whatever has happened during the year, everyone gives it that bit extra.
“It is the biggest tournament and you just give everything.”
Higgins, a beaten world finalist for the last three seasons, has predicted there could be more big breaks than ever before too.
He said: “It could break all the records in terms of centuries. I definitely think there will be a maximum 147.
“There are only a very few players that have made one at the Crucible. I think the whole situation and the crowd gets on top of you there normally.
“But I’d be very surprised if there wasn’t one or maybe even two this year.”
World No.1 Judd Trump will defend his crown and try to add to his 98 tons this season. He needs six more to beat Neil Robertson’s season record.