Higgins beats Murphy to win over Championship

John Higgins cruised to an 18-9 win over Shaun Murphy to take his third Snooker World Championship title on Monday. He joins Steve Davis, Steven Hendry and Ronnie O'Sullivan as players to have completed Crucible hat-tricks.

Scotland'sJohnHigginskissesthetrophyafter
beatingBritain'sShaunMurphy18-9towintheWorld
ChampionshipSnookerfinalattheCrucibleTheatre
inSheffield.(AFP/AndrewYates)

The Scot went into the last session 11-5 ahead. Murphy won the second frame with an excellent 91 break, but was never allowed to establish momentum on the night. Higgins led 14-6 before the interval. Murphy then took the next two frames to reduce the deficit to 14-8. He won the 22nd frame with a clearance of 79.

But Murphy was always kept at arm's length, and Higgins held his nerve to close out the contest 18-9.

Higgins defeat Cope into last 8

Two-time world champion John Higgins avoided elimination at the World Snooker Championship. Higgins trailed 12-10 before winning the last three frames to beat unseeded Jamie Cope 13-12 in Sheffiled, England. With the win, Higgins books a place in last 8.

Higginstrailed12-10beforewinningthelastthree
framestobeatunseededJamieCope13-12in
Sheffiled,England.Withthewin,Higginsbooksa
placeinlast8.

The left bottom pocket seemed unkind to Higgins as he missed potting again and again. Cope potted this blue ball, and completed a break of 103 to go 12-10 ahead of Higgins with just one more frame to score an upset win. But this time around, the left bottom pocket turned against Cope.

The red ball just stopped at the mouth of the pocket. Higgins used the opportunity to turn the match around. He easily potted the ball, and the rest of the match was smooth sailing. He didn't give Cope any chance for a comeback. Even a delay caused by a sick spectator didn't distract his focus.

Higgins again potted the ball to the left bottom pocket and knew victory was at hand. He swept the last 3 frames to complete a remarkable come-from-behind win. He'll next meet Mark Selby in the quarterfinals.

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