John Higgins produced a storming final session comeback to defeat Stephen Maguire 9-6 in the final of the Welsh Open.
Wishaw potter battles back to land third Welsh Open title
John Higgins produced a storming final session comeback to claim victory over Stephen Maguire in the final of the Welsh Open on Sunday night.
The 'Wizard of Wishaw' found himself 5-2 down earlier in the contest, however he reeled off five successive frames before completing a memorable 9-6 victory.
The comeback win handed defending champion Higgins his third Welsh Open title, adding to last year's victory and his maiden success at the event back in 2000.
The title triumph is the Scotsman's fourth since his return to the circuit in November.
He had previously spent six months away from competitive action following a suspension imposed on him by the WPBSA for 'giving the impression' he would breach betting rules.
Emotional
A shellshocked Maguire notched his only frame of the evening with a break of 75, but his fellow-Scot fired in three further half-centuries to secure his third crown in Wales.
Higgins, playing in his first tournament since the death from cancer of his father, John Sr had been visibly emotional after his first-round win over youngster Jack Lisowski and, having also conquered Dave Harold, Matthew Stevens and Ali Carter, paid tribute to his father once more after the final triumph win.
"I don't know what to say," he told
Eurosport. "My mum and my wife are here with me and I'm sure Stephen will have a beer with us and we'll toast the guy."
On the match itself, he said: "I thought it was a fantastic final, he was outplaying me in all departments but I managed to make it 5-3 and keep myself in touching distance.
"I had to rely on Stephen missing a couple and I managed to dig in and clean up the frames."
Maguire said: "All credit to him, he was 5-2 down today and just keeps clearing up - you need to finish the frame off or you know what's coming back at you.
"I think I lost it in the first session, even though I was 5-3 up - when you have a player like John down you have to really stamp on him, but he came out and kept cleaning up."
