15.7.07

HIGGINS IS HONG KONG CHAMP


World champion John Higgins recovered from 4-2 down to beat James Wattana 5-4 and win the Euro-Asia Challenge in Hong Kong.

Higgins, 32, launched his comeback with an 80 break in the seventh frame, won the next on the colours and comfortably clinched the decider to pocket the £25,000 top prize.

The world no.1, who lost his passport on a promotional tour last week, had performed poorly in the Europe v Asia team event but found his stride when the individual competition got underway.

“I didn’t start the week too well and I think that was down to the jet lag and all the hassle after losing my passport but I came good when it mattered,” Higgins said.

“The standard here was very good and James played really well through the event and again tonight. He probably could have been 4-0 up at one start so he’ll be disappointed."
The final was played in front of more than 3,000 spectators at the Queen Elizabeth Hall.

Wattana, Thailand's leading player for the last two decades, compiled breaks of 74, 40 and 86 in building a 3-1 lead, although Higgins pinched the second frame after Wattana missed the pink.

Higgins fashioned a run of 127 to win the fifth and although Wattana took the sixth the former world no.3 could not close out victory.

Higgins is top seed for the first ranking event of the season, the Shanghai Masters, which starts on August 6.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

I see you're posting on Andrew Collins's blog as well Dave. That Lionel Shriver book is very poor, agreed. I couldn't actually finish it to be honest.
The pantheon of snooker literature is very disappointing on the whole and I'm not sure why that should be. Could it be because it is traditionally a working class sport and therefore not as literary as say cricket, which has inspired a vast library of writing? On the other hand, football has enought books about it, although quality control could be better!
For what it's worth, the best books written about snooker in my opinion are:
1. Pocket Money by Gordon Burn
2. On Snooker by Mordachai Richler
3. Struggling to think of many more.

Plenty of poor ones: Any player autobiographies. Steve Davis should write one, he always has plenty of interesto say, and his career has moved on a bit since he published Frame and Fortune (groan) in 1982.

Dave H said...

At the risk of being accused of toadying to the editor, I'd add one to your list, although it's not being published until September: Black Farce and Cue Ball Wizards by Clive Everton

It's Clives autobiography and the inside story of professional snooker

I once asked Steve if he had any plans to write a book and he said it was unlikely as people tend to want sensation and that meant having a go at people, which he wasn't keen to do

Anonymous said...

It doesn't necessarily need to be a sensational book. I think people would be interested in reading a well-written, insightful book with a few funny stories in there, some inside info about the snooker world and some personal stuff.
I would like to read about Magma, for instance, or the boom years in the 80s and the decline of the professional game since then. He would be able to write about that.
Maybe I should approach him and offer to ghost it!

Anonymous said...

Dave/James,

I read two reviews in national newspapers on the Lionel Shriver book. One said that she didn't write the technical terms properly in the book - like she didn't understand them. The other review gave it the thumbs up. I think I will buy a copy second hand. But Clive's book seems interesting.

Dave, I heard another reason as to why Higgins lost his passport during his win at this tournament, did you?

Also, there is a really good line-up, including Higgins, at a tournament in Birmingham this week. Is it new and are there any points involved?

Thanks, Joe

Dave H said...

The Birmingham event is a pro-am but one with a very god line up

As for your other question, yes I heard it but it isn't true

Anonymous said...

Dave,

The money is v.good for this event which I suppose is the main reason why their is such a good group of players.

I also appreciate you answering the other question which, although surprised me, did make me think twice after seeing those promo pictures shot. Am so glad it isn't true.

Thanks, Joe

Anonymous said...

I thought the Bill Borrows book about Hurricane Higgins was a fantastic book, and probably paints a more realistic picture of him and his actions than his new autobiography.

Anonymous said...

clive everton will no doubt get sued just so he can get some publicity for the book. Jimmy's book is great, bill borrows is well funny and john virgo did one that was hilarious.