In an electrifying showdown in Shangrao, Jiangxi Province, Scotland's John Higgins clinched the World Snooker Tour (WST) World Open title by defeating England's Joe O'Connor 10-6. This victory marks Higgins' first ranking title in four years, breaking a long-awaited drought since his last triumph at the Players Championship in 2021.
At 49 years old, Higgins made history as the oldest ranking event finalist since 1986, showcasing that age is just a number in the world of snooker. On the other hand, the 29-year-old O'Connor, known for his incredible upsets, stunned fans by knocking out top players like Judd Trump and Shaun Murphy on his path to the final.
The final match kicked off with a nail-biting first frame, which Higgins narrowly won 66-63. Riding the momentum, he dominated the first session by taking five of the next seven frames, establishing a solid 6-2 lead.
Not one to back down, O'Connor surged in the second session, achieving his highest break of 71 in the 10th frame and pushing the score to 9-6 after 15 frames. However, Higgins sealed the deal with a flawless 100 break in the final frame, the only century of the match, to secure his 32nd career ranking title.
Expressing his joy, Higgins said, \"I'm just delighted. I am drained, there has been a lot of nervous energy in the last couple of days. I am dead proud to win another big event at this age.\" He also praised O'Connor's efforts, stating, \"Joe didn't play his best today, having been unbelievable all week. He's a great all-round player but just didn't turn up today, he'll come again I'm sure.\"
This victory not only adds another prestigious title to Higgins' impressive career but also inspires upcoming snooker players that persistence and passion can lead to remarkable achievements. 🌟🎉
Reference(s):
John Higgins beats Joe O'Connor to win World Open championship
cgtn.com
