Snooker: John Higgins coasts to world title

Published on Tuesday 5 May 2009 09:52

JOHN HIGGINS clinched his third Crucible title last night and claimed it was the best yet.

Higgins defeated Shaun Murphy 18-9 in the Betfred.com World Championship final, to follow up his victories in 1998 and 2007.

Asked whether it felt better than those previous triumphs in Sheffield, Higgins said: "I think so. Each one has had its special place but to win it a third time and elevate yourself just a little touch to being up there with the great champions like John Spencer who have won it three times, it's a proud moment."

Ronnie O'Sullivan has also won three world titles, while Stephen Hendry, Steve Davis and Ray Reardon are the only men to have known greater success.

Higgins dominated the final following a tight opening session. The 33-year-old Scot said: "The second session was a big session. That was the one that won it for me. I got a good run of the balls and won three or four close frames."

Twice Higgins was almost knocked out in the earlier rounds, having to come back from the brink of defeat to beat both Jamie Cope and Mark Selby.

"That gave me an enormous boost of confidence coming into the final," Higgins said.

"I knew if I could come through those three matches I was going to give Shaun a good match.

"Before the tournament I knew my form was really close to being there and thank God it was."

Higgins has given up alcohol this year but admitted his victory might warrant a drink-fuelled celebration. "I've not touched a drop since Christmas. I might have a couple of glasses of champagne now," he said.