Higgins claims spot in Winners' Group after win over Carter - 07/01/2010

JOHN Higgins has become the second man to advance into the Winners' Group of the 2010 Championship League Snooker event.

Scotsman Higgins joins his countryman Stephen Maguire, who triumped in Group One earlier in the week, in the Winners' Group in March after beating Ali Carter 3-1 in the final of Group Two.

Higgins and Maguire had travelled together and were staying in the same hotel and Higgins revealed some banter from his friend had helped with his motivation.

John Higgins is the latest man to advance into the Winners' Group

"Stephen was giving me a bit of stick as he had already made it through and he was relaxing at the spa in the hotel enjoying himself so it's good to get through," said Higgins

"In Group One I was a bit rusty as it was the first time I had picked up my cue since the UK and I never touched it over Christmas.

"The Championship is a great tournament and one of the main reasons why I won the World Championship last year. It's great match practise for all the boys and the practise you get against the best players in the world is invaluable.

"There's a real buzz about snooker at the moment with Barry Hearn coming in and we're hoping he could bring his skills of promotion to the game.

"It's been a real kick up the backside for the sport and hopefully we can grow as a sport and have people talking about us in good terms instead of negative ones as snooker is still obviously a good sport."

The final was between current World Champion John Higgins and Ali Carter, who had only just scraped into the top four.

A break of 50 helped Higgins claim the opener and, despite trailing in the early part of the second, then took that frame as well thanks to a run of 61.

Higgins, who is ranked number one in the provisional world rankings, then gave the Essex man a chance in the third by missing a long red. Carter capitalised with what appeared to be a frame-winning break.

That would have reduced the deficit back to 2-1 but there was a twist as, while using the rest, he potted the red but clattered into the pink and lost position. However, it did not prove critical as Higgins left another red on after a fine safety from Carter and the scoreboard was now showing 2-1.

Carter claimed the opening red of the fourth but Higgins was soon at the table, although this ended when he missed a red into the centre pocket when 18 ahead. But Carter gave him another opportunity soon afterwards and Higgins clinched his place in the Winners' Group with a score of 85 to win 3-1.

Earlier in the day, three-time World Champion Ronnie O’Sullivan became the latest big-name player to be eliminated from the competition. Premier League winner Shaun Murphy was knocked out in the first group, while O’Sullivan, a beaten finalist at the Premier League, finished in the bottom two of Group Two.

This was the first time O’Sullivan had competed in the Championship and made a bright start by winning his first two matches – against Mark Selby and Marco Fu. However, four successive losses against Neil Robertson, Ali Carter, John Higgins and Judd Trump meant O’Sullivan finished bottom of the seven.

The group was one of the most evenly contested in Championship League history with six players still in contention for a top four finish going into the last round of matches.

The semi-finalists were Marco Fu, John Higgins, Judd Trump and Ali Carter.

The two players eliminated were Mark Selby and Ronnie O'Sullivan.

Group Three of the Championship League takes place on Monday, January 18 and will feature Mark Allen, Ali Carter, Marco Fu, Stephen Hendry, Joe Perry, Neil Robertson and Judd Trump.

Money won in Group Two
£6,200 - John Higgins, £4,200 - Ali Carter, £2,900 - Judd Trump, £2,500 - Marco Fu, £1,000 - Neil Robertson, £900 - Mark Selby, £700 – Ronnie O’Sullivan