Snooker: Wishaw Wizard John loses Grand Prix crown

Oct 14 2009 by Andrew Weston, Wishaw Press

WORLD Champion John Higgins failed to defend his Grand Prix crown last week after bowing out in dramatic circumstances to eventual winner Neil Robertson.

The Wizard of Wishaw fought back from 5-3 down in his semi-final clash with the Aussie to take the match to a deciding frame.

In a thrilling contest it came down to the final black and Higgins had a golden opportunity to secure his place in the final but missed a long pot that left the ball over the pocket.

The 34-year-old, who was hoping to win the tournament for a record fifth time, then conceded frame and match to Robertson.

After his semi-final defeat Higgins told the assembled media: “I’ve been on the good and bad side of luck many times over the years.

“Sport is all about accepting the highs and the lows and so I can’t feel too disappointed.

“When the black stopped on the jaw like that he left me a one in 20 shot.

“I was proud of the way I came back into it but sometimes things aren’t meant to be.

“Neil played really well.”

Earlier in the tournament Higgins produced an astonishing comeback to defeat Ronnie O’Sullivan that thrilled his Wishaw fan base that had made the trip through to Glasgow’s Kelvin Hall.

O’Sullivan missed a simple red which was effectively match ball in the eighth frame of their last 16 clash, allowing Higgins to clear up and level at 4-4.

Higgins then hit the highest break of the match, 94, in the final frame to secure the win.

His victory over O’Sullivan keeps him ahead of the Englishman in number one spot in the Provisional World Rankings.

Neil Robertson defeated China’s Ding Junhui 9-4 in the final, and has now targeted an assault on the World Number One ranking.

The Aussie potter is currently number three but has been tipped to be a future world champ.