England’s Stephen Lee hits final spot after beating Andrew Higginson: 2011-12 PTC Grand Finals
England’s Stephen Lee earned his place in the final encounter of the 2011-12 Players Tour Championship (PTC) Grand Finals after ousting compatriot Andrew Higginson buy the score line of 4-2 in the semis.
The Englishman claimed his second consecutive final spot after the Haikou World Open. He played impressively at the Bailey Allen Hall arena in Galway to confirm his booking in the finals.
Speaking to World Snooker after his win, Lee said, “The best of seven format creates pressure because if you don't get off to a good start you can be out. I should have gone 2-0 up and after he won the second frame he fancied it. So it was nice to finish
it off with a couple of good breaks.”
He added, “I'm over the moon to get to two ranking finals in a row. I'm on a good run and it's just nice to be competing. I'm keeping my head down and taking it one match at a time.”
The penultimate match up began with Lee’s impressive frame win after pocketing a near-half-century break of 49 points. He extended his lead to 2-0 with a classy 65-point knock followed by Higginson’s second frame win as he compiled a half century break of
51 points to move within one frame lead at 2-1.
Higginson pulled level by 2-2 at the end of first session as he potted a fine clearance of 104 points. However, Lee replied back brilliantly with a stunning break of 102 followed by a sensational 82 to nudge his opponent down and win the match by 4-2.
A couple of weeks ago, Lee made his way into the final encounter of the 2012 Haikou World Open where he faced Northern Ireland’s Mark Allen. The 37-year-old Lee was not able to play according to the standards against the Northern Irishman and slipped down
easily at the hands of Allen by the score line of 1-10.
However, the Trowbridge potter did not lose hopes and started all over again in a bid to make it to the finals of 2011-12 PTC Grand Finals and earn the glory. He will be facing the former World Snooker Champion from Australia, Neil Roberts or the Scotsman
Stephen Maguire in the final encounter at the same venue.
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