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Ssb - higgins does it again
Well, what can you say?
John Higgins has once again proved his strength of character to win a fourth world title following an engrossing World Championship final in which he repelled the challenge of the spirited Judd Trump 18-15.
Higgins got the snooker he needed in what proved to be the concluding frame and then spectacularly doubled the pink before slotting home the black for victory.
It comes a year after his world was sent into turmoil by damaging tabloid newspaper accusations surrounding match fixing.
The nuances of the case have escaped many who would rather think the worst of someone successful – and thus end that success – than the facts.
But Higgins has grabbed the second chance he was granted with both hands. It says a lot about him that he could win his first tournament back from suspension and then, at the UK Championship, his first TV event too.
To land the world title for a fourth time propels him into the snooker stratosphere. In the modern era only Stephen Hendry, Steve Davis and Ray Reardon can claim more world titles and the effort and application he displayed at the Crucible this year was formidable.
Credit, though, must go to Trump for the way he played. This exciting, entertaining, personable player gained many supporters throughout the event and is clearly set to be the game’s next superstar.
The final turned on a single shot this afternoon. Leading 12-9, Trump went for a very difficult thin blue using the rest.
Had it gone in it should have been 13-9. But he missed and it was 12-10.
There has been much discussion as to whether this was the ‘right’ shot. I wouldn’t criticise Judd because the way he played got him to within touching distance of the title.
What is indisputable, though, is that Higgins, who prior to this had been on the ropes and struggling, was given a huge injection of confidence when he won that frame and did not lose another in the afternoon session.
I thought Trump endured a poor run of the ball overall, particularly when going into the reds, but he will be back and the bad news for the rest is that he can only improve.
But Higgins and the way he plays the game is the standard everyone else must aspire to. He has played the best snooker of the season and brings the curtain down on a campaign in which the sport has been reinvigorated.
It was my pleasure to have spent time with his father, John senior, backstage at tournaments enjoying the odd drink and laugh.
He would have been proud of his boy for the way he applied himself at the Crucible this year.
It was a great performance in a great match that brings a great season to a close.
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John Higgins has once again proved his strength of character to win a fourth world title following an engrossing World Championship final in which he repelled the challenge of the spirited Judd Trump 18-15.
Higgins got the snooker he needed in what proved to be the concluding frame and then spectacularly doubled the pink before slotting home the black for victory.
It comes a year after his world was sent into turmoil by damaging tabloid newspaper accusations surrounding match fixing.
The nuances of the case have escaped many who would rather think the worst of someone successful – and thus end that success – than the facts.
But Higgins has grabbed the second chance he was granted with both hands. It says a lot about him that he could win his first tournament back from suspension and then, at the UK Championship, his first TV event too.
To land the world title for a fourth time propels him into the snooker stratosphere. In the modern era only Stephen Hendry, Steve Davis and Ray Reardon can claim more world titles and the effort and application he displayed at the Crucible this year was formidable.
Credit, though, must go to Trump for the way he played. This exciting, entertaining, personable player gained many supporters throughout the event and is clearly set to be the game’s next superstar.
The final turned on a single shot this afternoon. Leading 12-9, Trump went for a very difficult thin blue using the rest.
Had it gone in it should have been 13-9. But he missed and it was 12-10.
There has been much discussion as to whether this was the ‘right’ shot. I wouldn’t criticise Judd because the way he played got him to within touching distance of the title.
What is indisputable, though, is that Higgins, who prior to this had been on the ropes and struggling, was given a huge injection of confidence when he won that frame and did not lose another in the afternoon session.
I thought Trump endured a poor run of the ball overall, particularly when going into the reds, but he will be back and the bad news for the rest is that he can only improve.
But Higgins and the way he plays the game is the standard everyone else must aspire to. He has played the best snooker of the season and brings the curtain down on a campaign in which the sport has been reinvigorated.
It was my pleasure to have spent time with his father, John senior, backstage at tournaments enjoying the odd drink and laugh.
He would have been proud of his boy for the way he applied himself at the Crucible this year.
It was a great performance in a great match that brings a great season to a close.
More...
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