JOHN HIGGINS started the snooker season in superb style with victory at the Australian Open.
The four-time world champion fought off in-form Englishman Martin Gould 9-8 to claim the first ranking title of the new campaign.
Victory takes Higgins' total ranking event wins to 27, equal with snooker superstar Ronnie O'Sullivan, and he claimed this was amongst the greatest finals he has ever contested.
"It was a great final, one of the best finals I've ever been involved in," he said. "There were some great breaks, some really good safety play from the both of us, and a couple of missed balls which is always going to happen, but I thoroughly enjoyed the final."
The Wizard of Wishaw turned 40 this year and has conjured up a resurgence on the table after a two-year drought without a major trophy, during which he confessed he was in the 'depths of despair'.
A record fourth Welsh Open title in February rediscovered the Scot's winning mentality, and victory in Australia shows he is still a fearsome competitor despite his advancing years.
In contrast, it was only Gould's second ever ranking final, and Higgins' experience carried him through the final frame decider.
"In the last frame I wasn't feeling any nerves because I knew it was a good final," he added. "I knew I had my chances beforehand, I could have maybe won it 9-7, and I just thought 'I'll give it a go.'
"I thoroughly enjoyed the final and every credit to Martin, I'm sure this will give him the boost he needs to go on and win tournaments."
Higgins started the match in fine fashion, firing in a 90 break, before clinching the second frame by a single point. His opponent had been in superb free-scoring form throughout the week, and hit back with breaks of 101 and 86 to level going into the mid-session interval.
Gould continued his momentum after the break by taking the next two frames to establish a lead for the first time in the match, only for Higgins to smash in a century and a 48 to ensure that the first session ended all square at 4-4.
The Scot secured the first two frames of the concluding session, before Gould sank the highest break of the match, 138, to keep himself in contention.
A 68 break meant that Higgins took a 7-5 advantage into the interval, but Gould again bounced back with a 55 and a 58 to level again with just three frames to play.
A run of 60 took Higgins to within one frame of the title, but Gould constructed a composed clearance to force a final frame decider.
Higgins showed his class with a brilliant 89 break to clinch his second ranking title in seven months, and ensure Gould remained without a major victory in his career so far.
"I cant say I'm not gutted, but I'll be back again," said the 33-year-old. "It was high quality all the way through, with high breaks, some really good safety play, and a few mistakes from both of us.
"The crowd have been fantastic all week, everyone has been really good. The support I've had has been unbelievable and hopefully when I come back next year it will be exactly the same."
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