Snooker: Late father is inspiring me, says Higgins

JOHN HIGGINS says he is continuing to be inspired by his late father as he seeks a fourth World Championship crown at the Crucible.

John snr died in February from cancer and Higgins paid an emotional tribute to him after winning the Welsh Open that month.

The Scot's career has been guided by his father and it continues to be after his death.

"It's inspiring me," said the 35-year-old. "It's the first time I've been down here when he's not been here but he's watching down.

"He was a big character and I know he's here as well."

Higgins scored two centuries, 135 and 120, last night but trailed two-time former champion Mark Williams 5-3 after the first session of their best-of-33 semi-final.

The 36-year-old from Cwm had runs of 72 and 74 as he opened up an early advantage in their tussle.

Higgins said the Crucible challenges the endurance of even the leading players.

"It's a test of everything," he said. "It's a test of whether you can get your sleep at night. Your whole nervous system is in meltdown for 17 days, it's just how you handle it.

"Experience only gets you so far, you've got to have ability to go with it. You look at Judd Trump who's got no experience here and he's blitzing everyone."

Trump held a 5-3 overnight lead over Ding Junhui in the other semi-final.

The Englishman has led from the front in his emphatic wins over Martin Gould and Graeme Dott, but he warned: "It would be quite hard if I fell behind here. It might become a little bit daunting being my real first time out there in front of everyone, but I think I'm a good enough player to cope with that."

Ding fired a break of 102 to take the opening frame, but Trump responded with a dazzling 110 in the second.

Trump opened up a two-frame lead at the interval with some stunning snooker before sharing the final four frames of the session.