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Higgins claims Welsh Open
Snooker, 10:56, February 1, 2010
John Higgins was "over the moon" after claiming his 21st ranking tournament by beating Ali Carter 9-4 to win the Welsh Open.
The 34-year-old beat great rival Ronnie O'Sullivan in the semi-final and kept up his good form by racing to a 5-0 lead, and led 6-2 going into the evening session after breaks of 95, 101, 137 and 81.
Carter, the defending champion, matched the Scot over the next four frames but, at 8-4, Higgins then compiled a break of 76 to take the title for the second time - having first won it in 2000.
The three-time World Champion looks set to take over the number one ranking spot from O'Sullivan in the coming weeks and he was understandably happy with the way things had gone in south Wales.
"I was delighted with the way I played for the first five frames," he said. "That was the best I'd ever felt really. I was just properly zoned in.
"It's hard to win any tournament these days with the quality of players around but I'm over the moon about winning the Welsh Open for a second time.
"The crowd here are one of the best. The Newport Centre is a great arena to play in."
