Scotland’s John Higgins is hoping he can make amends after reaching the final of the World Championship for a second successive year. Higgins reached the final at the Crucible last year but was unable to get the better of Mark Selby, who eventually prevailed 18-15.
Four-time world champion Higgins last won the title in 2011 but now has a great chance of adding a fifth to his cabinet after beating Kyren Wilson 17-13 on Saturday. Wilson had pulled to within one frame but Higgins then stamped his authority and showed his superior class to go through. Higgins becomes the first player over the age of 40 to reach the final in consecutive years and he is determined to take his chance this time around.
He led Selby 10-4 last year before buckling under the pressure, and he is hoping to avoid the same mistake. The 42-year-old told World Snooker: “I’m so proud that 20 years after I won my first world title, I’m sitting here ready to compete in another final. It’s a fantastic feeling. It would be extra special to play Mark Williams, he’s won it twice before and would be going after a third one. I’ll be going for a fifth. “At the time, I felt last year was my best opportunity to win it again. I don’t know how the next game is going to transpire, I might be well behind and not have an opportunity. I just felt that because I was so far in front against Selby that it was a great chance. We’ll need to see how the first day of this final goes.”
Higgins is 8/15 to win the tournament while fellow veteran Mark Williams can be backed at 6/4.
Snooker odds available at Dafabet.