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Ssb - john higgins wins welsh open
It was an emotional night in Newport as John Higgins moved to third in the all time list of ranking event winners with a terrific display of matchplay snooker to win the Welsh Open.
Higgins won seven of the last eight frames to beat Stephen Maguire 9-6 to land a 23rd ranking title.
It was the first event since the death of his father and, once again, he did his family proud.
Maguire was left to rue a few missed chances. He had got ahead in several frames but was unable to kill them off.
But Stephen need not beat himself up too much: Higgins had been a man on a mission all week and he eventually got the result.
I'm pleased for him. I knew John senior and he was a larger than life character, sociable and good fun, who acted as a guiding hand for his son.
Had he never taken John into a club when he was nine he may never have become a player at all.
It would take many years for him to overtake Stephen Hendry at the top of the all time winners list as he is still 13 titles ahead.
But Steve Davis's tally of 28 titles could be overtaken and, with Ronnie O'Sullivan currently demotivated, Higgins can pull away from his friend, contemporary and rival.
He reminded us today of how good he is. It's one thing to have skill but knowledge of the right shot to play and temperament are also so important.
John Higgins has it all in spades and in this form will go to the World Championship in two months time as the man to beat.
More...
Higgins won seven of the last eight frames to beat Stephen Maguire 9-6 to land a 23rd ranking title.
It was the first event since the death of his father and, once again, he did his family proud.
Maguire was left to rue a few missed chances. He had got ahead in several frames but was unable to kill them off.
But Stephen need not beat himself up too much: Higgins had been a man on a mission all week and he eventually got the result.
I'm pleased for him. I knew John senior and he was a larger than life character, sociable and good fun, who acted as a guiding hand for his son.
Had he never taken John into a club when he was nine he may never have become a player at all.
It would take many years for him to overtake Stephen Hendry at the top of the all time winners list as he is still 13 titles ahead.
But Steve Davis's tally of 28 titles could be overtaken and, with Ronnie O'Sullivan currently demotivated, Higgins can pull away from his friend, contemporary and rival.
He reminded us today of how good he is. It's one thing to have skill but knowledge of the right shot to play and temperament are also so important.
John Higgins has it all in spades and in this form will go to the World Championship in two months time as the man to beat.
More...