World Championship 2009 - The Final Head-to-Head
Global-snooker.com uses Cuefacts 2008/09 to help predict the outcome of the final in Sheffield.
These two really have looked the part throughout the tournament, and its likely to be a case of who has enough left in the tank. Could Shaun's spare sessions agaisnst Fu be the deciding factor - let's take a look.
We have continued to take two statistical views, looking at the 2008/9 season as a whole and measured the two players against each other to see who comes out on top. We have also compared their performances in this year's world championship to see whether that paints a different story.
In addition Global-Snooker has looked at Higgins and Murphy and gives you our own thoughts on what will happen. Enjoy!
John Higgins 8/11 v 11/10 Shaun Murphy
Two-time world champion, John Higgins has withstood almost every kind of pressure this game can bring to reach his fourth final. He was two down with three to play against Cope. One down with two to play against Selby at his best. And ten frames in front of Allen needing two for victory, winning eventually by 17-13.
It kind of seems like the popular Scot's destiny to follow Ronnie O'Sullivan last year in claiming his third world title. His form throughout the season has been consistent and brilliant in places. By most players standards, he has had an exceptional year, a final in China, a win at the Grand Prix would satisfy most. But Higgins, like O'Sullivan has high expectations and will measure his season largely based on Sheffield.
Despite having to withdraw from Bahrain, Higgins will have a healthy lead at the top of the one-year ranking list.
He looked fresher after his Allen win than hed did against Selby, one possible problem, is that so much effort has gone into reaching the final, that for one session at least, he is flat - and at this level - that can be enough!
UK Champion, Murphy has had his own battles to reach his second world final though.
Neil Robertson played brilliantly to come back after Shaun had opened up a seven frame lead, needing just three more to win. The scores were level again before Murphy produced three almost perfect frames to see off the Aussie's challenge.
Hendry in the quarter-final was no walk in the park, and post-maximum elation may well have been the deciding factor. OK, so the Marco Fu match was comfortable, but Higginson in the first round was far from easy.
Take a look at the stats and decide for yourself, it is a tough one to call - Betfred makes Higgins the favourite, so we will oppose and go for Murphy's second title. But what do the Cuefacts say?
Season Stats 2008/09| Name | Fr Pl | Fr% | Pts for av | Pts ag av | HB | 50+ | 50BR | 100+ | 100BR |
| John Higgins | 367 | 55.31 | 56.49 | 44.89 | 141 | 146 | 2.51 | 27 | 13.59 |
| Shaun Murphy | 244 | 55.33 | 56.34 | 48.99 | 137 | 89 | 2.74 | 16 | 15.25 |
Cuefacts Season Predicts - John Higgins
World Championship Stats 2009
| Name | Fr Pl | Fr% | Pts for av | Pts ag av | HB | 50+ | 50BR | 100+ | 100BR |
| John Higgins | 95 | 55.79 | 58.64 | 42.06 | 141 | 37 | 2.57 | 9 | 10.56 |
| Shaun Murphy | 89 | 59.55 | 59.62 | 46.80 | 137 | 38 | 2.34 | 9 | 9.89 |
Cuefacts WC Predicts - Shaun Murphy
Key: The figures quoted relate to each player's performance during the 2008/09 season
Fr Pl = Frames Played
FR % = Frame Percentage
Pts For Average = Scoring Averages (For)
Pts Ag Average = Scoring Averages (Against)
HB = Highest Break
50+ = The total number of 50+ breaks
50BR= The number of frames per 50+ break
100+ = The total number of 100+ breaks
100BR = The number of frames per 100 break
World Championship Index...
*Prices quoted - betfred.com - 3 May,2009
