The Crucible Theatre
55 Norfolk Street
Sheffield
S1 1DA
www.worldsnooker.com
www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk
18 April - 4 May 2009
John Higgins talking to Ray Stubbs surrounded by photographers at The Crucible
Photograph courtesy of ShortShooter
Higgins Goes Fourth After World Triumph!
John Higgins has regained a place among the top four of the official world rankings following his victory in the Betfred.com World Snooker Championship.
The Wizard of Wishaw became only the fourth player to win a third World title at the Crucible by beating Shaun Murphy 18-9 in the final in Sheffield tonight.
Higgins, whose previous Crucible crowns came in 1998 and 2007, climbs one place to fourth in the official list for the 2009/10 season. "To win it three times here at the Crucible means everything to me," said the 33-year-old Scot. "To be up there with the great Champions who have won it three times is a proud moment. I think I've got more titles left in me. These will be my best years to win more tournaments."
Murphy missed out on his second World title and the Sale-based cueman remains at No 3. "All the great names have played and got beat in a World final, so now I know how they felt, and if it inspired them to go on and be better players, it will inspire me," said the 2005 Champion.
"Read More..." for the full draw.
Despite his second round exit, Ronnie O'Sullivan tops the list and will be No 1 next term for the fifth season in his career. Stephen Maguire, who lost in the quarter-finals, stays at No 2.
Marco Fu moves into the top eight for the first time in his career, replacing Stephen Hendry, who is out of that bracket for the first time in 21 years having slipped to tenth.
There is just one change to the top 16, Mark Williams regaining his place after one season outside the elite, replacing Graeme Dott who is down to 28th.
There are five changes to the top 32. Rising stars Ricky Walden, Liang Wenbo and Judd Trump, as well as Michael Holt and Gerard Greene, climb into that group at the expense of Anthony Hamilton, Dominic Dale, Ian McCulloch, Michael Judge and Ken Doherty.
THE WORLD SNOOKER CHAMPIONSHIPS | ||
THE LAST 32 | ||
SHEFFIELD | ||
Ronnie O'Sullivan | 10 : 5 | Stuart Bingham |
Mark Allen | 10 : 6 | Martin Gould |
Nigel Bond | 10 : 5 | Peter Ebdon |
Ryan Day | 10 : 4 | Stephen Lee |
John Higgins | 10 : 5 | Michael Holt |
Jamie Cope | 10 : 6 | Joe Perry |
Graeme Dott | 10 : 8 | Barry Hawkins |
Mark Selby | 10 : 6 | Ricky Walden |
Shaun Murphy | 10 : 8 | Andrew Higginson |
Marco Fu | 10 : 4 | Joe Swail |
Ding Junhui | 10 : 8 | Liang Wenbo |
Stephen Hendry | 10 : 7 | Mark Williams |
Allister Carter | 10 : 5 | Gerard Greene |
Neil Robertson | 10 : 2 | Steve Davis |
Mark King | 10 : 6 | Rory McLeod |
Stephen Maguire | 10 : 5 | Jamie Burnett |
THE WORLD SNOOKER CHAMPIONSHIPS | ||
THE LAST 16 | ||
SHEFFIELD | ||
Mark Allen | 13 : 11 | Ronnie O'Sullivan |
Ryan Day | 13 : 5 | Nigel Bond |
John Higgins | 13 : 12 | Jamie Cope |
Mark Selby | 13 : 10 | Graeme Dott |
Shaun Murphy | 13 : 3 | Marco Fu |
Stephen Hendry | 13 : 10 | Ding Junhui |
Neil Robertson | 13 : 8 | Allister Carter |
Stephen Maguire | 13 : 6 | Mark King |
THE WORLD SNOOKER CHAMPIONSHIPS | ||
THE QUARTER-FINALS | ||
SHEFFIELD | ||
Mark Allen | 13 : 11 | Ryan Day |
John Higgins | 13 : 12 | Mark Selby |
Shaun Murphy | 13 : 11 | Stephen Hendry |
Neil Robertson | 13 : 8 | Stephen Maguire |
THE WORLD SNOOKER CHAMPIONSHIPS | ||
THE SEMI-FINALS | ||
SHEFFIELD | ||
John Higgins | 17 : 13 | Mark Allen |
Shaun Murphy | 17 : 14 | Neil Robertson |
THE WORLD SNOOKER CHAMPIONSHIPS | ||
THE FINAL | ||
SHEFFIELD | ||
John Higgins | 18 : 9 | Shaun Murphy |