Tour Championship 2025 final: John Higgins fights back from brink to beat Mark Selby in 'best-ever win'

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Hello and welcome to TNT Sports' live updates from the 2025 Tour Championship final. The showpiece match is between two former four-time world champions Mark Selby and John Higgins in what should be a thrilling finale to the season's penultimate ranking event. The first man to ten frames earns the trophy and £150,000. You can watch top snooker action live on TNT Sports and discovery+.

‘What a shot from The Wizard’ – Higgins pots difficult red in style

Video credit: TNT Sports

A fantastic comeback from John Higgins saw him pip Mark Selby 10-8 in a thrilling final to win the Tour Championship.

The Wizard of Wishaw had endured a lean period over the last few years but after winning the World Open last month, he now goes to the Crucible for the World Championship as the form player.

Higgins dominated the early exchanges, taking a 5-1 lead in the afternoon session. But Selby then assumed control, closing to 5-3 before winning the first five frames of the evening for 8-5.

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At that point he looked a certain winner but, enjoying a friendly run of the balls, Higgins showed all of the brilliance, grit and love of the game that makes him such a champion, reeling off five straight frames in what he said afterwards was the best win of his career.

"It's my best-ever win, definitely," Higgins said on ITV. "Never mind world titles, UK...

"The way Mark was playing to go 8-5, my head was spinning. I don't know how I came back to be brutally honest.

"It is my best-ever win, he is an unbelievable champion. My best ever-win, aye."

John hoists the trophy

My goodness he's earned it.

John speaks

"Ma best-ever win," he says. World tootles, all of it, Mark was playing so well, his "head was spinning" and he doesn't know how he came back. "I can see the tears in your eyes" says Rob Walker, trying to hazel him – he doesn't blink, talking about how he'd been doubting himself so he's proud to come back. So Rob goes a second time, noting that his mum, wife and kids are there, and this time John can't resist because who could, so Rob hugs him as if he'd planned it. Well done John, you're brilliant.

Mark speaks

"That's why he's an all-time great," he says. He notes he didn't make many errors from 8-5 but in a nice way says the balls went against him – his "head was spinning" – and John is good. He's played some good stuff this week and season but tonight's not about him it's about John. What a mensch he is; well played the Jester.

John Higgins beats Mark Selby 10-8 to win the Tour Championship

A 132 total clearance, what an absolute privilege to watch this man – these men - compete.

Selby 8-9 Higgins (0-110)

I did not see this coming. And nor, I think, did Mark Selby who was so excellent in wining seven frames straight.

Selby 8-9 Higgins (0-104)

Make no mistake, this has not been an easy clear-up. But a red to left corner means it's black for a century ... and there it is! What a way to win!

Selby 8-9 Higgins (0-75)

AND IT'S THERE! Then a red, then a black, then a red, then a blue, then a punch of the air! An absolutely monstrous week from The Wizard of Wishaw! And what an effort tonight!

Selby 8-9 Higgins (0-62)

John is nearly there, and what a ridiculous individual he is. Earlier this year he dropped out of the top 16 for the first time in 30 years; now he's going to Sheffield having won two of the last three competitions. Pink to middle for the trophy...

Selby 8-9 Higgins (0-41)

I tend to look at John as the Raymond van Barneveld of snooker: an all-round maestro who isn't as explosive as some but who loves the competition to ludicrous extent. And a lot less cantankerous. Another nice ball to middle keeps him going, and there's no sense he's going to miss ... though with each pot, the pressure amps up.

Selby 8-9 Higgins (0-20)

Mark tries sending a long cut to right corner and gets close ... button close enough. Has he covered it? Not quite, again the run going with John. So down goes the starter, and Selbz will be concerned he's played his last shot. A good split and the match is there ... here it comes off the blue ... and is he on one? Er, not really. But if this animal goes across the table into right-middle, it's a proper chance to close out ... and it's there! Brilliant pot! This is beautiful to behold!

Selby 8-9 Higgins

John goes one away!

Selby 8-8 Higgins (0-77)

A cut along the top cushion to left corner and the frame is secure ... down it goes! John's got seriously lucky in both of the last two frames, but he's made the very most of it on both occasions. This is his fourth frame in a row, and Mark must now win two straight having barely potted a ball since winning his seventh in a row!

Selby 8-8 Higgins (0-62)

Eeesh, John overruns off a black and now faces a tricky one to middle from really close to the object ball; he caresses it home beautifully, adds another black, and he's about to go back in front. What a turnaround!

Selby 8-8 Higgins (0-25)

The way the balls are, it's not easy to score, but the black's back on its spot and there are still a few loose reds - and some that'll become loose when those near them are removed. John might not clinch the frame at this visit, but he should go a decent way towards winning it.

Selby 8-8 Higgins (0-5)

The black is the nearest ball to right corner so all the reds are over that way; Mark lands the white behind the green and John's impressed. Less so with his response, except he catches his red so thick he almost pots it in the green bag, it stays on the edge ... and he covers it! It's going for him now! So Mark goes at it off two cushions, misses ... and a double-kiss leaves it! John's all over this!

Selby 8-8 Higgins (0-0)

It's a tactical start to frame 17, the standard of safety every bit as high as you'd expect.

Selby 8-8 Higgins

Long matches, you cannot beat them. John is now playing the better snooker, and it's a best-of-three to decide the trophy.

Selby 8-7 Higgins (18-60)

Playing a thin contact, Mark misses and catches the black; John, who now only needs one red, puts him back, and another miss leaves a free ball. He's been handed the frame! That is not something you see Mark Selby do very often, and John is back in the ascendancy! When he plays safe, Selbz needs both reds with blacks, all the colours, and a snooker to tie.

Selby 8-7 Higgins (18-47)

John leaves a red to left corner ... and Mark can't get it down, leaving the pot for good measure. With the black on the side and all the other colours in baulk, he gets the extension out, sticks away the green ... and comes too far. Dare he take on the red along the rail? Dare he take on the cut-back? No to both so it's back to baulk, and has he got the snooker? He has, but Selbz is the greatest escape artist in the business and responds brilliantly. What a match this is.

Selby 8-7 Higgins (18-43)

Off the yellow, John misses his planned cannon, so it's a brute to left-middle ... taken well. A blue brings him on to his next red but the last two are on black cush, and the nearest colour is that blue. In the end, though, it doesn't matter as he misses the pot by miles, leaving nothing; Mark plays a thin contact and hits second time. This frame isn't nearly over.

Selby 8-7 Higgins (18-27)

Mark's second red isn't an easy one but he slots it into left corner, then spends a whole thinking his way into a pink across the table to middle. He doesn't like it, again he plays a ball he's not mad about with power, and this time he misses by a way, overcutting. John just about gets his starter down, and both men are feeling this now. Lovely stuff!

Selby 8-7 Higgins (10-26)

John floats balls about the table, goes down for the brown, and looks to break reds off the side; he doesn't get the connection he hopes for but is on one, just, cueing awkwardly over the pink with the extended spider. He doesn't like it but can't give up the run and here it comes ... he catches the near jaw and it doesn't look good ... and it stays on the lip. Monster visit to the table coming up.

Selby 8-7 Higgins (10-3)

Mark leaves a red but the black's on the side, so there's limited benefit in taking on a mid-ranger to left corner. John, though, is feeling himself so goes hard, misses ... and almost flukes another to middle via cannon. Without a pot in three-quarters of an hour, can The Jester cut to the green bag? He has a long think because he's worried about leaving the other ball that's in baulk while seeking to get on to the blue, pinches a bit of the pocket, and goes for the brown instead; great shot. And he uses the brown again to break the pack off the side, does a really good job of it ... and lands on nowt. John's getting the run of the balls currently. And when Mark's safety leaves him a snick to left corner, he sends it home, cannons reds off yellow, and here we go!

Selby 8-7 Higgins

It's getting tense!

Selby 8-6 Higgins (0-65)

Mark won't have expected to turn up and win 10-5 from 1-5 and 3-5 at the interval. But from 8-5, he'll have expected to close out sooner rather than later; John is having nae such thing.

Selby 8-6 Higgins (0-51)

Expertly, John picks off reds; it's almost like he's been doing it all his life. There are, though, still seven left, most in two clusters of three; he breaks one off the pink and looks good to close the gap to one.

Selby 8-6 Higgins (0-30)

Bit between his teeth, John builds. He is, though, running out of loose reds, meaning there's a bit shot coming up soon.

Selby 8-6 Higgins (0-9)

Oh wow, John conjures ... OK, flukes ... a three-ball plant. Can he take advantage? There are points there for him....

Selby 8-6 Higgins (0-5)

Looking to play softly intoe a red, Selbz leaves it short, so now John must find a way to get everything safe ... and does.

Selby 8-6 Higgins (0-1)

We're watching two absolute maestros here; they're thinking so hard they could power a small island. And it's Mark who goes on the attack, opening the reds and pulling the white all the way to the bottom cushion; brilliant shot. Can John find and execute a response that gets everything safe? He looks distinctly unthrilled as he seeks one and does indeed offer a cut-back ... which Mark plays at pace ... and misses! So John clips into left corner, only for an unwanted cannon to leave him without a colour to pot.

Selby 8-6 Higgins (0-0)

I thought we might be in a long night, not just in terms of the score but in terms of the length of frames. That's not been the case so far – there's been a great tempo to the session – but as we near the end, I'd not be surprised if things slowed.

Selby 8-6 Higgins

John leaves the arena between frames and when he returns, marches back to his seat. And after a slow start to a frame with the loose reds all up in baulk. We quickly agree a re-rack and Ken's a little surprised as he felt Mark had an advantge.

Selby 8-6 Higgins

Do we got ourselves a ball-game? We shall see. A 110 and John is back in the hunt.

Selby 8-5 Higgins (0-98)

Not just a frame won, but a frame won in one visit, and there's a ton upcoming too.

Selby 8-5 Higgins (0-61)

He's warming to this, the arm loosening. This is going to be his first frame of the night, and not a second too soon.

Selby 8-5 Higgins (0-32)

John opens the reds nicely but is he on one? Just. He'll know he needs to cash in here, and that if it goes 9-5 it's over, which brings with it plenty of pressure. So far, he's handling it well.

Selby 8-5 Higgins (0-7)

Now then. A long safety exchange, then Mark catches one thick and leaves plenty. If John can't do anything with this opportunity, he's almost definitely done for; his highest break tonight is 25.

Selby 8-5 Higgins

...and it stays on the lip. But he's two away; John is miles away.

Selby 7-5 Higgins (119-0)

But they yellow's not far off the baulk rail, so this upcoming black is nasty. But he's on it, just, after flicking the blue; potting it and holding for green, though, won't be easy...

Selby 7-5 Higgins (111-0)

I say a ton, but there's actually a 146 on, which'd relieve John of the highest-break prize he currently holds with 144. It never rains, but it pours so hard it makes your head bleed.

Selby 7-5 Higgins (72-0)

Relentless, remorseless behaviour from Mark. He's going three in front with his seventh frame on the spin, and an 11th ton of the tourny is there for him.

Selby 7-5 Higgins (48-0)

The little nudges and screws; everything Mark tries is coming off beautifully. And it won't have escaped his attention that the first three frames of the night he took with good play, but this and the last, really bad errors from John let him in. He's not the sort to lose focus and take his foot of the neck, but that feels like the only thing that can stop him.

Selby 7-5 Higgins (23-0)

Calmly and methodically, Mark builds. He's absolutely flying.

Selby 7-5 Higgins (1-0)

Mark taps the table following John's safety then catches the jaw of left corner playing his response. So the white stays up the business end ... only for the cut-back red to stop out. Chance for Mark to score and if he makes something sub sub sub sub substantial, you'd fear for The Wiz. There are a fair few loose balls.

For the final time

We go again. Does John have anything left?

Selby 7-5 Higgins

Mark sweeps the mini-sesh and this last frame came courtesy of a gift from John. Thinking for The Wiz to do during the interval, Selbz would doubtless prefer to keep playing; he's now won six on the spin. We'll be back for the conclusion in 15 minutes.

Selby 6-5 Higgins (70-31)

Mark leaves himself a testing blue to the yellow bag ... and not only drains it but gets nicely on to the next ball. So the question: can he use the blue to float on the top rail in order to slot the final red? He can but it's not easy ... and he sends it into the cushion ... but nevertheless it drops. This is going to be 7-5.

Selby 6-5 Higgins (26-31)

John crafts patiently then, right as I type, he somehow misses a pretty simple pink to left corner. If Mark can punish here and leave him to stew over the interval, he'll be a good chunk of the way home, because that was a twitch.

Selby 6-5 Higgins (18-20)

But he does pump home the nest ball and, with reds open, this is not only a chance but a window into his soul. If he can't make something telling here, he's seriously struggling.

Selby 6-5 Higgins (18-16)

John looks to dig into the pack off the black but he doesn't get the contact he's seeking, loses the white, and that's end of break. He just can't get going.

Selby 6-5 Higgins (18-1)

Off the break, John leaves one, and he'll be hearing John Williams' score in his head. But just as Mark looks settled into his break he leaves himself nasty mid-distancer, misses, and the most important visit of the match is coming up.

Selby 6-5 Higgins

Mark clears the table and leads for the first time. John looks pensive and well he might; though he'll only be trialing by two if he loses it, the way the match is going, this next frame, the last of the mini-sesh, feels like one he must win.

Selby 5-5 Higgins (67-25)

Mark secures the frame. He is playing quite beautifully.

Selby 5-5 Higgins (46-25)

Oh dear. Looking to slide down one of that yellow, John flicks it, leaves a starter, and the roll Mark's on looks increasingly inexorable – or would if there were degrees of inexorability.

Selby 5-5 Higgins (41-25)

Mark accumulates but then, off the yellow and two cushions, he can't quite find enough action to get on the next red. So it's yet another near-perfect safety, white behind yellow; good luck, John old mate.

Selby 5-5 Higgins (8-25)

A lovely cut to right corner keeps the run going ... but the white runs too far down the table, so is that end of break? You can tell he really doesn't want it to be so he convinces himself to take on a brutal blue to right corner, gets nowhere near, and allows Mark one with the rest to the green bag. I totally get why he took the pot on, and I guess given there were few loose reds he didn't feel he was risking the world, but did anyone think he'd pot it? Anyroad, Mark strikes down a beautiful yellow, comes off the side into the pack and is he on one? Oh, just, a fine cut-back keeping him at the table, and this is now a chance to forge in front for the first time.

Selby 5-5 Higgins (0-8)

Full of confidence, Mark glances one long towards left corner ... and gets so close, he leaves it. Chance for John to get going in the session, though not much of one – he'll have to go straight into the pack off the first black, does, and now has a few balls to clear.

Selby 5-5 Higgins

John needs to find something and fast, because Mark's on a roll.

Selby 4-5 Higgins (67-1)

Frame secure, Mark misses a blue; John returns to the table in a bid to get back in stroke.

Selby 4-5 Higgins (47-0)

A forced cut-back to keep the run going, cueing over two reds ... and it's there then, with none of the remaining five available, it's a snooker behind the yellow. And I guess this is more the match I expected to see, Mark hitting a level that John no longer can. It's early days yet, but the escape leaves one, and this will be four frames in row for Selbz.

Selby 4-5 Higgins (23-0)

Mark's in the mood tonight, a lovely blue sending the white through a gap, down and up the table, and on to the next red. He'll have to break what remains of the pack to win the frame at this visit(to the table) ... and there it is, very nicely done. This is terrific stuff from yon Jester; from 5-1 up, John has scored one point.

Selby 4-5 Higgins (5-0)

The black runs safe and Mark plays into the pack; John takes advantage of the touching ball to find a great length in response. Then, just I'm about to write we could be here a while, Selbz has a shy at a plant, a good few inches between the two balls ... and down it goes. Then it's a snuggle up to the yellow on the basis that, though he might pot it, he'd not necessarily be on a red thereafter – and it makes even better sense because there's no one better at getting tight like that. And, shonuff, left straight out of options, John hits first go but leaves a proper chance.

Selby 4-5 Higgins

A wondrous exhibition pink to left corner that takes him around the angles has Angles cooing – there can be no higher praise – is followed by the black. Mark is known as a grinder, but that's just one of many things he does brilliantly – he is, remember, a fantastic pool player. This is going be a night.

Selby 3-5 Higgins (72-1)

Yup, Mark secures the frame.

Selby 3-5 Higgins (50-1)

No matter: John immediately leaves him another starter, and that will be the frame.

Selby 3-5 Higgins (46-1)

Oh, but almost immediately comes the miss you're not expecting, with the rest to right corner, and will the red roll past the middle bag? Yes it will.

Selby 3-5 Higgins (39-1)

John tries a plant to right corner, leaves the red and cannons the green, left in mid-table. So Mark tidies and from here, should close the gap.

Selby 3-5 Higgins (39-1)

Mark accumulates, and looks really settled at the table. I say this pretty much every time I cover him, but in recent years he's started missing dollies out of nowhere, so you never feel he's home in a frame until he actually is, but as I type, he looks to once more free reds from the cluster only to land stuck to it. So it's back to baulk following a nicely-crafted contribution, a useful lead his.

Selby 3-5 Higgins (13-1)

John leaves a mid-distancer which Mark coolly eliminates, and there are plenty of balls there for him. All the more so now when, off a pink to middle, he bumps what remains of the pack and the split works nicely.

Selby 3-5 Higgins (0-1)

Ahahaha, what a start. A terrific break-off from John forces Mark to play off the side and into the pack; it feels like it'll be that kind of night. All the more so when The Wiz snaps a starter into right corner but opts against taking on a pot, playing off the green towards the bottom rail.

And away we go!

Our boyz baize

Bring it on!

How will this go?

Pre-match, I strongly fancied Mark – though, as I admitted, I've got form for foolishly writing off John. I just felt that he is the better player – I stand by that – but I underestimated, again, The Wiz's renewed ability to find what he needs when he needs it. I think we're on for along shift, and I'm going for Mark 10-8.

Goodness me

Rob Walker is wearing a tweed three-piecer that is quite horrific. He's now waving arms and making a racket, but we've still noticed, old mate.

Mark

Another it's an absolute pleasure to see back winning tournaments. He's been mustard this week and if he hits a groove tonight he'll be very hard to stop – as well as in Sheffield.

John

I won't lie, I thought he was finished competing at the business end of big tournaments. I am a idiot. Whenever I write him off, and I've done it more than once, I ought really to remind myself how highly Ronnie O'Sullivan rates him – and as pretty much the perfect player. He's absolutely bursting with confidence at the moment, and it's joyous to behold.

Evening all

Feeling the Sunday evening blues? Well Dr Snooker is here to care for us. Two stone-cold, all-time greats, going at it over the stretch. Get thee in there.

LATEST: HIGGINS 5-3 SELBY

Mark Selby hit three centuries in the first session of the Tour Championship final in Manchester, but ended the afternoon trailing John Higgins 5-3 in the £150,000 title showpiece.

In a high-quality battle of two four-time world champions, it was Higgins who won a scrappy opening frame before Selby compiled a brilliant 135 to restore parity at 1-1.

That did not dissuade Higgins, who moved 3-1 clear at the mid-session interval with runs of 68 and 102.

The Scotsman won a brutal 57-minute tactical fourth frame before a second 102 break saw him ease 5-1 ahead.

But Selby responded with 112 and 136, his 69 and 70th tons of the season with Higgins failing to register a point, to close the deficit to only two frames before they play to a finish at 7pm on Sunday evening.

The winner of the match will be seeded third at the World Championship later this month.

HIGGINS 5-2 SELBY (0-136)

Total clearance of 136 from Selby, his 70th century of the campaign. Higgins with a 5-3 lead before they resume at 7pm this evening.

HIGGINS 5-2 SELBY (0-105)

Selby finishing off in style. Five centuries in eight frames from these finalists. Not too terrible in terms of standard.

HIGGINS 5-2 SELBY (0-97)

Selby on cusp of a third century of the afternoon. Higgins not scoring a point in the final two frames of the session.

HIGGINS 5-2 SELBY (0-75)

Nasty pot on a pink, but he negotiates it nicely in bridging over another red. Black seals the deal on the eighth frame.

HIGGINS 5-2 SELBY (0-53)

Break heads over 40 points. Not sure Higgins will be coming back to table after missing that longish red. Was do-or-die effort you suspect from the former world champion. Selby stuns in the red for black, and this could be another century on the cards.

HIGGINS 5-2 SELBY (0-32)

Fine recovery pot on a black by Selby before red is drained to yellow bag. Looking to end the session only two frames behind.

HIGGINS 5-2 SELBY (0-16)

Higgins goes all out for a mid-range red, but tough piece of cueing. Red doesn't drop and he leaves Selby another simple starter. Century in previous frame, but what will he make this time?

HIGGINS 5-2 SELBY (0-0)

Selby breaks off then for the final frame of this first session. Leaves a long red for Higgins to ponder. Tries his luck, but not on the potting angle.

HIGGINS 5-1 SELBY (0-136)

A misjudged safety shot by Higgins and the response is total from Selby, who clips in a 112 total clearance to win the seventh frame. One more frame to come in this session.

HIGGINS 5-1 SELBY (0-111)

Much more like it from Selby. Break reaches 70 on final red. The sort of response you expect from him. Every chance of a second century from the Leicester man.

HIGGINS 5-1 SELBY (0-57)

Lead heads over the 50-mark in this frame. Nice shot on a red to screw back and disturb a few more reds. Should get frame won here to reduce the deficit to 5-2.

HIGGINS 5-1 SELBY (0-40)

Higgins with a big unforced safety error presents Selby with a second chance to get this frame won. Too much pace with the escape and sticks up an easy red for his opponent to extend his advantage.

HIGGINS 5-1 SELBY (0-24)

Superb cutback on a thin black by Mark, but he loses the white and is forced to run safe. Fine safety shot.

HIGGINS 5-1 SELBY (0-17)

Brilliant long red by Selby to start the seventh frame. That is the sort of ball he has been knocking in all week. Selby looking to hit straight back in this final.

HIGGINS 4-1 SELBY (102-4)

Higgins finding some of his very best form at the right time in this final. In goes the black. And a second 102 of the match from the Wishaw player. Halfway to the winning post with two frames to come in this session.

HIGGINS 4-1 SELBY (72-0)

Higgins looks like he is going to take out this frame in one big hit here. In goes the black, and that is another frame in the frames for column. Higgins heading for a second century of this match.

HIGGINS 4-1 SELBY (50-0)

This is a golden chance for John to increase his lead to four frames in this final. Which would certainly start to concern his opponent you suspect.

HIGGINS 4-1 SELBY (26-0)

Nice split on reds from John off the blue, but he is short of pace in potting next red. Nicely handled though. In goes blue and gets a decent cannon on black. Chance then for Higgins to build a healthy lead in this frame. Black is back in play too.

HIGGINS 4-1 SELBY (12-0)

Mark going for a long red at outset of the sixth frame, but off the potting angle. And red comes back up table to remain over left centre. Which John duly despatches. First poke at these balls falls to Higgins, who is looking to again make the early running out there.

HIGGINS 3-1 SELBY (73-22)

Higgins adds 18 to win a 57-minute fifth frame. Which means Higgins won't trail when they return for the second session tonight.

HIGGINS 3-1 SELBY (55-22)

Higgins getting the better of a 55-minute frame. Selby needing two snookers on the final five colours otherwise it will be 4-1 to the Scot.

HIGGINS 3-1 SELBY (48-22)

John closing in on the fifth frame as he lands nicely on yellow. In goes red to green pocket. Needs red and colour for 4-1.

HIGGINS 3-1 SELBY (43-22)

Three reds tied together in baulk. All near the cushion. These elongated frames are okay if you win them. But probably ask what is the point if you don't. Higgins knocks a red down the other end of the table, but doesn't get it safe. Shot to nothing left for Selby to attack. But not there, and Higgins has a thin cut. Which he slides home.

HIGGINS 3-1 SELBY (40-22)

15 minutes since the last pot before Selby finally breaks the deadlock. Long, long battle with attempts at pots not dropping before Selby cans decent long red before rolling safe behind black. One for the purists in progress. Three reds left on deck.

HIGGINS 3-1 SELBY (36-21)

This frame proving to be a battle of wills out there. Two of the four reds tied up, green tied up. An exacting battle with frame running for 39 minutes.

HIGGINS 3-1 SELBY (36-21)

Higgins with a red and black combo to nudge 15 points clear with four reds left up, but double on a red doesn't drop. Quite a tough duel towards the end of this fifth frame.

HIGGINS 3-1 SELBY (28-21)

Higgins tries to nudge in a tricky red to the green bag, but was never on course for the rigging. A rueful smile by John. That could have been a frame-winner. Selby back at table, but four or five reds tied up. And no position off the black. A 27-minute frame in progress, and he makes the error from the safety. Shocking safety shot, but Higgins misses blue after canning red.

HIGGINS 3-1 SELBY (27-0)

John tries to poke in a long red. Misses the pot. Bad misss, but white ends up sticking on top of blue in middle of table. Incredible piece of good fortune for Higgins, it must be said.

HIGGINS 3-1 SELBY (27-0)

Selby with a red down table to green pocket, but catches near jaw and runs safe. Higgins with upper hand at the moment.

HIGGINS 3-1 SELBY (27-0)

Higgins taking seven minutes to produce a run of 27. Never in complete control of the white and is finally out of position. Just knocks the green to a side rail in baulk.

HIGGINS 3-1 SELBY (12-0)

Higgins up to 200 points without reply in this final. Drops in a nice long red before slamming in green to follow. John continuing to press early in this first session.

HIGGINS 3-1 SELBY (4-0)

Selby tries to slip in a long red from a tough potting angle, but rattles the jaws. What can Higgins unearth in response.

HIGGINS 2-1 SELBY (102-0)

Very, very smooth from the 'Class of '92' icon. In goes red with the rest and down goes black off the spot. Majestic stuff from the great Scot. He heads for a cup of tea holding a 3-1 lead. 135 from Selby, but Higgins hits back with 68 and 102 earning him the two-frame advantage.

HIGGINS 2-1 SELBY (70-0)

First four frames are going to take one hour. Which tells you how attacking this has been. Higgins rising to the challenge after the 135 from Selby. Could be a century coming up from the Wishaw man too.

HIGGINS 2-1 SELBY (50-0)

Higgins making an early move in this final. Despite suffering a few untimely kicks, he has got his game face on. Looks like he could be moving two frames clear here.

HIGGINS 2-1 SELBY (0-0)

Selby breaks off then for this fourth frame. This final warming up nicely in Manchester. An error by Selby leaves Higgins with a red to pot to right centre.

HIGGINS 1-1 SELBY (94-0)

Higgins with another cameo knock of 26 to put the third frame to bed. He leads 2-1 with one more frame to come before the mid-session interval.

HIGGINS 1-1 SELBY (68-0)

68 break from Higgins before he is forced to declare, but Selby will require a snooker otherwise it will be 2-1 to the Wishaw man.

HIGGINS 1-1 SELBY (67-0)

Looks like Higgins is going to move 2-1 ahead. Has been a fabulous effort from the Scotsman as red to left middle is drained.

HIGGINS 1-1 SELBY (48-0)

Super double by Higgins on a red to keep the break going. Pots black, but again loses the white looking for next red. White just getting away from him at key moment. But another terrific recovery pot on red to right centre to continue this visit.

HIGGINS 1-1 SELBY (16-0)

Selby ends up overcutting a long red over a top pocket. Sticks it up over the pocket for Higgins to get back to his own scoring game here. Into the pack off reds off the black. Very nice connection. Chance then to make some decent progress.

HIGGINS 1-1 SELBY (0-0)

A scrappy first frame and a one-visit hit from Selby in the second. They all count in snooker.

HIGGINS 1-0 SELBY (0-135)

That is just so, so good. Different levels of quality. 135 total clearance, and battle is joined in Manchester. 1-1 in the showpiece final.

HIGGINS 1-0 SELBY (0-108)

What a majestic century break this has been by Selby. Could be 135 if he mops up all the colours. Not a bad way to get your title bid on the move.

HIGGINS 1-0 SELBY (0-86)

Selby down to 21 seconds a shot so far in these opening two frames. Rattling through these balls at the moment like Rocket Ronnie.

HIGGINS 1-0 SELBY (0-61)

Don't think Higgins will expect another shot in this frame. Selby all over these reds like a rash.

HIGGINS 1-0 SELBY (0-44)

The sort of response you expect from Selby as he opens up reds and continues to prosper around the black. Looking like a man who has made 67 centuries this season. Could be 68 incoming the way these balls are set up.

HIGGINS 1-0 SELBY (0-17)

Selby powers in a long red with some relish and holds for the black. Looking to make a quickfire response in the second frame of day. Long game has been in peak condition all week.

HIGGINS 0-0 SELBY (66-6)

Excellent cutback black and red is put away by John, and he is one up in the race to 10 as the concession comes. Not a vintage frame, but it falls to the Wishaw man. Good to get on the board early on in any match.

HIGGINS 0-0 SELBY (51-6)

A third chance of the frame presents itself to John then as Mark leaves a red over top left-hand pocket. Should be first frame surely to the Scot now.

HIGGINS 0-0 SELBY (45-6)

Chance for John to put away the frame, but he loses the white on 25 and is forced to run the cue ball safe with a lead of 39 points. All a bit edgy early on.

HIGGINS 0-0 SELBY (20-6)

John left with a tough red to yellow bag, but nothing doing as red doesn't drop. Selby then misses red at same angle as John. Settling down period in this first frame. Higgins with another blunder in hitting brown with a red. But Mark misses red to right centre.

HIGGINS 0-0 SELBY (7-0)

Off we go then in the first frame of a possible 19 in this final. Selby with an early safety error, but not sure he has left much for John to go at. In saying that, Higgins floats in a mid-range red to yellow bag. Lovely pot. Nice one to get the day started.

SELBY'S LAST MEETING WITH HIGGINS WAS ONE FOR PURISTS

Mark Selby and John Higgins will write the latest chapter in an epic 20-year rivalry when they meet in the final of the Tour Championship in Manchester.

The duo, both four-time world champions, have impressed at the season's penultimate ranking event, with Selby demolishing Ding Junhui 10-2 in the semi-finals on Saturday after Higgins completed a fine 10-7 win against Barry Hawkins on Friday.