Higgins ends nightmare year with world title
SCOTLAND’S John Higgins captured his fourth world title last night exactly one year on from the frame-fixing scandal which threatened to end his career.
Higgins, who also had to come to terms with the death of his father this year, only returned from a six-monthban for minor betting offences in November but ended the season as world champion after a gutsy 18-15 win over 21-year-old English sensation Judd Trump.
At one stage Trump had led 12-9 but the match turned when he attempted to stretch four frames clear and missed a difficult blue.
“It’s an unbelievable moment to win it again,” Higgins said. “It’s been amazing, I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for (the support of his family). It’s just an unbelievable 12 months but it’s been great.”
Trump is likely to be in a final again some time in the near future, but admitted he never expected to reach this one.
“I’ve come here not expecting to do that well, so to get to the final is a good achievement,” he said. “Obviously I’d have liked to have won today but John was the better player on the day, he played the better snooker over the two days and was the deserving winner.
“Seventeen days ago I was no one really, but every game it kept building and the fan base I’ve created is unbelievable.
“The support from everyone back home, family friends, everyone wishing me luck, it wasn’t enough this time but I’ll come back next year.”