Snooker: Steve Davis backing John Higgins

JOHN HIGGINS begins the defence of his Betfred.com World Championship snooker title against Barry Hawkins tomorrow and will achieve an "astonishing" feat if he lands a fourth Crucible crown on 3 May.

That is the view of six-time champion Steve Davis, who along with Stephen Hendry is one of just two players to have retained a world title since the tournament settled in Sheffield in 1977.

Wishaw's 34-year-old Higgins has already secured the world No.ranking for next season, and won the Welsh Open in January to confirm his form.

Davis, who at the age of 52 will begin his 30th Crucible campaign against fellow Romford player Mark King on Monday, said: "Earlier this year I wondered if there would ever be another back-to-back winner of an event. Not just the World Championship. John Higgins is one of the few players who is capable. Not many other are, I don't think.

"He's got enough experience."