John Higgins delivered an emotional and vintage performance to defeat fellow four-time world champion Mark Selby 10-8 in an enthralling Tour Championship final in Manchester. Higgins dominated the early stages, taking a commanding 5-1 lead, but Selby made a remarkable comeback, winning seven consecutive frames to go ahead 8-5 in what was a high-quality encounter. Despite the setback, Higgins, who turns 50 next month, showcased his resilience, crafting breaks of 110, 67, and 84 to regain the lead at 9-8.
Higgins sealed victory with a brilliant 132 clearance, claiming the £150,000 top prize and his second ranking title in as many months, following a four-year title drought. Reflecting on his comeback, Higgins expressed admiration for Selby, acknowledging the difficulty of overcoming such a formidable opponent.
He described the win as "incredible," especially given the challenge of turning the match around after being frozen out by Selby's seven-frame burst. It was a stunning display of determination from the Scot, who had appeared to lose confidence midway through the match.
The final was a captivating spectacle, with Selby producing some of his best snooker during his seven-frame surge, which included a break of 767 points to Higgins' 66. At one point, it seemed as though Higgins' only consolation would be the £10,000 high break prize.
However, he responded with an eighth century to equal the record for a best-of-19 contest. Higgins’ performance served as a warning ahead of the World Championship, which begins on April 19, as his remarkable form puts him in strong contention to make a significant impact.
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