Scotland’s John Higgins admits he was surprised to get a chance to progress after securing the final place in the Championship League Snooker Winners’ Group on Tuesday. Scotland’s John Higgins admits he was surprised to get a chance to progress after securing the final place in the Championship League Snooker Winners’ Group on Tuesday. The 42-year-old beat England’s Judd Trump 3-2 in the Group Seven final at Coventry’s Ricoh Arena.
Higgins started his campaign with defeat to Luca Brecel, as the Belgian nailed a 147 break in the final frame. The ‘Wizard of Wishaw’ then beat Ricky Walden, Robert Milkins, Trump, Dominic Dale and Jimmy Robertson before he beat Trump in the final. Higgins entered the tournament in Group Seven last year before going on to win the trophy and he is confident he can do the same this week. He told World Snooker: “The way Judd played I fully expected him to get through so it is brilliant to beat him. When he plays like that there is nothing you can do sometimes, so I was delighted to get a chance in the final frame. “I entered Group Seven because I thought it might be a little bit of an omen after last year, and I’ve done the first hurdle and it would be great to go and defend the title.”
Higgins now joins an elite group in the final and he will take on Martin Gould in his first match of the day. Gould is 13/8 to win, with Higgins 4/9 to grab the victory. Kyren Wilson takes on Allister Carter in his first match on Wednesday, while Mark Selby will be looking to overcome Zhou Yuelong. Welshman Mark Williams is also in the hat but Higgins remains the 3/1 favourite to retain his crown.