Match Reports from the 888.com World Championship

Higgins comeback  leaves Maguire numb

John Higgins 17 – 15 Stephen Maguire

John Higgins came back from four frames down to win a thrilling semi-final as Stephen Maguire collapsed.

Higgins won seven out of eight in a dramatic final session.  The 1998 champion hit two century breaks as he made the third Crucible final of his career.

“I’m delighted to be there again,” he said.  “All I was thinking was to win three of the first four frames.”

Resuming 14-10 down, Higgins got the start he wanted.  In an untidy first frame Maguire was on top, but a missed pink cost him as Higgins cleared to win with a break of 47.

He then knocked in a long red at the start of the next, and was well on his way to a 147. The penultimate red was eventually missed, but his 104 won him the frame.

Breaks of 36 and 39 gave Higgins his third frame in a row to close the gap to just one.  He briefly left the theatre, leaving Maguire to punch his chair as he reflected on his disappearing lead.

Maguire recovered his composure sufficiently to take the next frame and go into the interval 15-13 ahead, two away from the final.

When the players returned it was Higgins who took charge.  A Maguire miscue let him in, and Higgins took his chance with a break of 122.

The 30th frame saw the biggest moment of the match.  Maguire looked a certainty to restore his two-frame cushion, but his pot on the final pink agonizingly caught the jaw of the pocket.  He had to watch as Higgins converted the easiest of chances to draw level for the first time in 12 frames.

The miss was a hammer blow to Maguire, and after it he hardly potted a ball.  Higgins took the next to go 16-15, and the 31-year-old held his nerve to seal a stunning victory.

“The tension got to both of us, but luckily for me I got over the line,” Higgins said.  “It’s not really sunk in yet, but it’s a great feeling.

“If I had lost I would have fancied Stephen to win it – he has got every chance of winning it in the future.”

A shaken Maguire said he felt numb from the defeat.  “I just threw away a great opportunity to win the title, I can’t believe what I’ve done.

“The trophy was there for me this week.  Personally I think I had one hand on it, but I couldn’t stand up to it. I’ve just thrown away a great opportunity to be world champion.”

By David Pritchard

 

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