Higgins back with a bang after thrashing O’Sullivan
JOHN HIGGINS toasted sweet success last night as he won his first ranking title for three years. The Wizard of Wishaw hammered arch-rival Ronnie O’Sullivan 10-3 in the Players Championship final at the Marshall Arena in Milton Keynes to take home the £125,000 top prize.
Amazingly it was the 45-year-old’s first ranking title since winning the Welsh Open in February 2018.
“It’s the best week I’ve ever had,” beamed Higgins. “I’ve won world titles and different tournaments, but this is an unbelievable feather in my cap.
“But the whole week, how I’ve felt and the calibre of players I’ve beat convincingly, it’s right up there.
“I’ve never had a week where I’ve dominated in that fashion, usually I’m scrapping it out.
“This week I went through the field quite easily, it’s been amazing.”
Higgins was in sparkling form having dropped just one frame en route to the final.
And in their first ranking final clash for 16 years, which Higgins memorably won 9-2, the Scot proved too good for
six-time world champion O’Sullivan.
Breaks of 142, 138, 127, 92, 77, 70, 68, 51 did the damage as Higgins powered 4-0 ahead and never looked back as he notched up the 31st ranking crown of his illustrious career and proved that he is still a force to be reckoned with.
“I’ve had doubts over the past few years,” admitted
Higgins. “You see the standard of the top boys, and you’re beating 90 per cent of the tour, but the real top boys were beating me.
“It’s very pleasing to win because I haven’t known what a trophy feels like the past three years so I’m delighted to get my hands on another one.
“For me to beat the best ever is a great feather in my cap.”
Higgins has suffered dark times on the green baize over the past few years. Three successive heartbreaking World Championship final defeats left the Scot contemplating his future in the sport.
And last month’s Masters misery, losing in the final to Yan Bingtao, could have easily derailed his season.
But he has bounced back to make his long-awaited return to the sport’s winner’s enclosure.
Defeat for O’Sullivan now means he has lost all four of the finals he has played in since winning last season’s World Championship.
But the world No.2 still banked £60,000 as runner-up and an extra £10,000 for the tournament highest break of 144.
“John was just unbelievable,” reflected O’Sullivan, who dazzled in stages with breaks of 144, 110 and 82. “John was strong, I knew I had to play was well as I could to have a chance and that added pressure maybe.
“I just got peppered like other players had this week. I had to sit in my chair and wait for an early night.
“Hopefully one night I’ll play well in a final and win a title.
“It’s great to see such a great player back winning and it’s good for snooker.”