Snooker: John Higgins in victorious comeback

John Higgins last night celebrated a successful return to professional snooker after easing to victory in the final of his comeback tournament in Germany.

The Scot, playing in his first event since a six-month ban came to an end, beat Shaun Murphy 4-2 in the final of the Euro Players Tour Championship in Hamm.

The victory sees Higgins earn 2000 rankings points and moves him up one place to third in the world. "I just came here hoping to get a few matches under my belt, so I'm delighted to win it," said Higgins.

"I had to be realistic coming here as the other players had all been competing regularly for four or five months.

Higgins booked his place in the final after seeing off Anthony Hamilton in the last eight, before enjoying a 4-1 win over fellow Scot Graeme Dott in the semi-finals.