Higgins on course to retain Welsh crown

Defending Welsh Open champion John Higgins booked his place in this year's final with a classy performance today against Ali Carter.

The Scot won the match 6-2 producing his best snooker so far this week, as he looks to be coming perfectly to the boil in time to lift the trophy.

Carter made a perfect start with a break of 118, but after that, Higgins won six of the next seven frames to blow his opponent away.

This was Higgins matchplay at its very best. His safety was spot on, and when when chances became few and far between for Carter, he started to force the issue. That was when Higgins swooped in to take charge of the match.

This win marks Higgins' tenth consecutive ranking match win. He looks totally unbeatable. Even playing just after his father passed away, it only looks like it's made him stronger. He's resolute and looking every inch the world's number one player.

Higgins is still playing a little short of his best, but such are his matchplay attributes, he continues to get the job done. Today he stepped it up a gear, and you just know he'll do the same again tomorrow.


With his place in the final booked nice early, he can sit back, relax and watch Stephen Maguire and Mark Selby battle it out late into the night for the right to face him tomorrow.

A good day's work for Higgins and a strong favourite for the title now.