John Higgins won the Welsh Open Snooker Championship for the second year in succession by coming from behind in a devastating final session to win the final 9-6 from Stephen Maguire.
Maguire had led 5-3 at the end of the afternoon session, but Higgins came out in great form in the evening session to win six frames to Maguire’s one in a dominant spell of snooker.
Every time Higgins was presented with an opportunity, he cleared the balls, giving him his second Welsh Open crown in as many years.
Maguire was disappointed to have lost this final after having played so well in the early frames, adding “I had him (Higgins) down, and when you’ve got him down, you have to stamp on him” referring to Higgins’ famous powers of resilience, which were demonstrated once more when the Scotsman came out in the evening to wrap up the match with style.
Higgins’ tournament win means he has extended his lead over his fellow professional snooker players – he is now firmly established at World Number 1.