John Higgins believes being fitter for next month’s World Championship at the Crucible could be key to his hopes of a fifth career win. The Scot enjoyed a 30th ranking title win of his career last weekend at the Welsh Open and has taken confidence from that success.
Higgins will be back in action in Wales later this month at the Players Championship in Llandudno before completing his preparations for the showpiece event of the snooker season in Sheffield in mid-April. Winning in Wales has certainly boosted confidence for the ‘Wizard of Wishaw’. “Winning the Welsh Open gives me a lot of confidence going into the last few tournaments of the season,” said Higgins. “I’m proud of it because the Welsh Open has been on the calendar ever since I turned pro. So to have come through and won it five times is a brilliant feeling. “I’m really looking forward to the Players Championship now, it’s a great event to be involved in. It really has a similar feel to the Masters because it is the best 16 players. And this year it has changed from best of nine to best of 11 frames in the first round which again adds to the prestige.”
After that comes the marathon of two weeks at the Crucible during the World Championships. Higgins’ 2011 win in Sheffield is his most recent Triple Crown trophy-lift and he is desperate for more. Having the stamina to last out in the Crucible is something Higgins is focusing on, after he was caught at the post by Mark Selby in last season’s decider. “I would love to win one of the Triple Crown events again and obviously the World Championship would be massive,” he added. “I could probably get a bit fitter. I’m not the fittest of anyone on the tour and it’s an area where I could give myself more of an opportunity because it is a gruelling 17 days. That’s the one thing that could help me.” Higgins is 11/1 to win the World Championship this season, while Selby is 3/1 joint-favourite to retain his title.