Wizard ofwishaw now aiming totrump Judd
Battling Scot John Higgins produced a gutsy comeback last night to deservedly book his place in today’s Champion of Champions final, writes NEIL GOULDING.
The four-time world champion bravely battled back from 3-1 down to beat Chinese superstar Yan Bingtao 6-5, in an absorbing semi-final showdown at the University of Bolton Stadium.
Higgins, 46, made his proven quality count to beat stubborn 21-year-old Bingtao and move within one win of pocketing the £150,000 first prize.
“I’m over the moon to win, there was so much pressure at the end,” beamed Higgins.
“To win that final frame with a double was pretty special.
“It’s happy days to be in another final, I’d dearly love to win this title again.
“Yan’s a great competitor, you never know how he’s feeling because he keeps his emotions under wraps.
“I was 3-1 behind and didn’t really feel part of the match, but I got better after the interval.
“I’m delighted to beat Yan because he’s such a good champion.”
Bingtao pinched the opening frame on the final black and doubled his lead courtesy of a break of 54.
World No. 6 Higgins responded with a 51 run, only for Bingtao to pocket a 74 break to lead 3-1 at the mid-session interval.
But back came Higgins, holding his nerve to win a scrappy fifth frame to reduce his arrears immediately after the resumption, before a match high break of 89 saw him level proceedings.
And there was more to come as the determined Scot pocketed a fine 70 break to make it three frames on the spin to lead for the first time.
Bingtao responded with a 70 break of his own to restore parity and, after a break of 51, was favourite to edge ahead.
But Higgins snatched the frame on the final blue and pink balls to leave himself needing to win one of the remaining two frames for victory.
Bingtao, last season’s Masters champion, forced a decider thanks to a break of 59 under immense pressure.
However, Higgins held his nerve to compile a match-winning run of 89 to secure a place in an impressive third final of the season.
The 2016 Champion of Champions winner now faces Judd Trump in today’s mouthwatering best-of-19 showcase final.
Potting sensation Trump whitewashed arch-rival Kyren Wilson 6-0 in their semi-final clash on Friday evening.
The world No. 2 has won a staggering 16 consecutive frames en route to the final as he tries to win his first major title since March and a maiden Champion of Champions crown.
Meanwhile, Higgins is looking to make it third-time lucky having suffered painful defeats in the English Open and Northern Ireland Open finals already this season.