Higgins Unstoppable in Welsh Final
John Higgins claimed the 2010 totesport.com Welsh Open Title for the second time, ten years after he first won it, with a scintillating performance in the final.
The World Champion was in imperious form in Newport as he swept to a 9-4 win over Allister Carter in the Welsh Open final, in front of a packed and very enthusiastic Welsh crowd.
Higgins was simply unstoppable as he raced into a 5-0 lead, with two centuries, in the opening session. Carter clawed back to trail 6-2 at the interval, which gave him a glimmer of hope for the evening session, but only if Higgins dropped below the the superb standard he'd played to.
If Carter had not missed on 33 in the opening frame of the night, it might just have been a different story, but he did miss and Higgins punished him.
The defending champion salvaged some pride by sharing the first four frames of the evening to at least take the match beyond the interval, but Higgins closed out the match with another imperious run of 76.
The new champion was thrilled with both his win and his form saying "I was delighted with the way I played for the first five frames. That was the best I'd ever felt really. I was just properly zoned in.
"It's hard to win any tournament these days with the quality of players around but I'm over the moon about winning the Welsh Open for a second time.
"The crowd here are one of the best. The Newport Centre is a great arena to play in."
Carter was full of priase for Higgins after the match. "John just played out of his skin.
"It was hard for me to do anything about it.
"I've enjoyed it here again this year, the crowd have been fantastic."
How The Final Unfolded.
Frame 1: First blood to John Higgins with a faultless 95 clearance, in front of a packed and enthusiastic audience.
Frame 2: Higgins is amongst the balls again. Carter's safety left an opening and Higgins has clinically stroked in a frame winning break.
Frame 3: This is extremely efficient by Higgins so far. A run of 71 there left Carter needing snookers.
Frame 4: John Higgins is totally ruthless this afternoon. He's got in with his first shot of the frame and compiled a brilliant 137 total clearance.
Frame 5: Carter let a chance slip, missing a red when leading 48-0 and Higgins cleared the table with 81.
Frame 6: At last Carter breaks his duck. For one Higgins missed a long red and Carter made 39. He forced another opening and added 36 to take the frame.
Frame 7: Disaster for Carter. He missed a red at a crucial point of the frame and Higgins cleared with 59.
Frame 8: At last a result for Carter. He made 66 before missing frame ball pink. Higgins got to 54 but not only missed the pot on the pink but went in off so Carter trails 6-2 after the afternoon session.
Frame 9: Business as usual for John Higgins on the resumption. Carter had first chance but missed a black on 33 and Higgins cleared to green with 72
Frame 10: An encouraging frame for Carter fans. A cracking break of 60 from the Captain.
Frame 11: What an amazing frame. John Higgins snookered Carter to create a chance. He fired in 9 reds and blacks and looked on course for a possible 147, but he missed a red along the rail and Carter fired in a brilliant 73 clearance.
Frame 12: A rather scrappy frame which lasted 28 minutes, but Higgins wins it and needs one more frame after the interval to regain the title he last won ten years ago.
Frame 13: Unlucky 13 for Carter as Higgins closes out the title in style with 76.
