John Higgins could set a unique record at World Championship that will never be beaten - 'Almost unstoppable'

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Barry Hawins described John Higgins as an "all-time great" who was "almost unstoppable" during his 10-7 defeat to the four-time world champion in the semi-finals of the Tour Championship on Friday. Higgins will chase a second ranking title in successive months when he faces Mark Selby or Ding Junhui in Sunday's final, but will perhaps also have one eye on creating fresh history at the Crucible.

'Shot of the century' - Higgins pots two reds with one shot to light up final

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Ronnie O'Sullivan is one world title away from becoming the most prolific winner in Crucible history, but old rival John Higgins has his own remarkable slice of history to chase at the sport's ultimate event.

O'Sullivan turned professional in 1992 alongside Higgins and Mark Williams, with the evergreen trio totting up a formidable haul of 14 title victories between them over the past 33 years in Sheffield.

But Higgins – who ended a four-year wait for a ranking title at the World Open in Yushan last month – is the only member of the celebrated 'Class of '92' whose astonishing longevity at the summit of the sport earns him the chance to set a new record that may never be beaten.

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The Scotsman has claimed world titles in 1998, 2007, 2009 and 2011, and could become the first player in history to lift the famous old trophy in four different decades.

O'Sullivan has secured his seven over the past three decades (2001, 2004, 2008, 2012, 2013, 2020 and 2022) to equal Stephen Hendry's 1990s haul with Williams earning his three (2000, 2003 and 2018) over two decades.

But like O'Sullivan's ongoing pursuit of green baize greatness, the achievement of Higgins would be in a class of its own from the 'Class of 92' icon.

On the cusp of turning 50 next month, he would also become the oldest winner of the World Championship since the Crucible era began in 1977, with O'Sullivan setting the record at the age of 46 three years ago.

The prospects of the Wishaw man achieving history certainly appears possible judging by the quality of his play at the Tour Championship in Manchester this week.

After completing a 10-3 win over Xiao Guodong with four centuries in the quarter-finals on Thursday, Higgins hit three more tons, including the highest break of the tournament with a fabulous 144, in a 10-7 victory over an impressive Barry Hawkins in the semi-finals on Friday.

He will face Mark Selby or Ding Junhui in Sunday's showpiece final with a £150,000 first prize on the table.

"I would love to win this one and be a multiple champion this season, before we go to Sheffield," he told reporters.

Hawkins had overcome Masters holder Shaun Murphy (10-1) and world No. 1 Judd Trump (10-5), but felt Higgins reached a different level after ending the first session level at 4-4 with the 32-ranking event winner on Friday afternoon.

"John looked in top form, and I thought he played great there to be fair," said world No. 11 Hawkins.

"All credit to John. He played fantastic. John is an all-time great. He is almost unstoppable when he plays like that."

Wilson waves makeshift white flag as Higgins seals victory with century break

Video credit: TNT Sports

Higgins has moved above O'Sullivan as fourth seed for the World Championship, but could be seeded as high as third in Sheffield if he wins the Tour title following his 10-6 victory over Joe O'Connor in last month's World Open final.

"I’ve had great times there," said Higgins before the Covid-hit 2020 tournament. "I’ve been in eight finals, won four and lost four.

"If someone had told me I’d have won four world titles growing up, then I’d have bitten their hand off."

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