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Higgins staves off "frightening" Ronnie charge
Snooker, 11:34, December 13, 2009 ,
John Higgins fought off a "frightening" comeback by Ronnie O'Sullivan to move into the final of the UK Championship on Sunday.
The 34-year-old led 5-1 and 6-2 before extending his lead to 8-2, with just one frame required to set up a showdown with China's Ding Junhui.
But that was the signal for the 'Rocket' to move up a level and the three-time world champion reeled off six frames in a row to set up a decider at the Telford International Centre.
The final frame went to Higgins, who will now play the rising star from China for the second most prestigious prize in snooker.
Higgins and O'Sullivan are widely regarded as the best two players of their generation and the Scot admitted that, even at 8-2, he refused to relax and believe that his opponent would just lie down and accept defeat.
"There is nothing more frightening than Ronnie coming back at you when he's in full flow," he told BBC Sport. "I was just sitting there and thinking if I get a chance take it. You can't take liberties with Ronnie.
"At 8-2 in front you might think that against anybody else."