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Higgins claims Welsh open title

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SNOOKER: World champion John Higgins dethroned title-holder Ali Carter with a 9-4 victory in the Welsh Open final last night in Newport.

The Scot raced into a 5-0 lead and held a 6-2 advantage going into the evening session, before wrapping up victory and the title with a break of 76.

Victory leaves Higgins close to overtaking Ronnie O’Sullivan, his semi-final opponent, at the top of the world rankings.

“I was delighted with the way I played for the first five frames. That was the best I’d ever felt really. I was just properly zoned in.”