Michael Holt ends John Higgins’ impressive return
The three times snooker World Champion John Higgins was denied his second title, since his return from suspension earlier this month.
The Scot was defeated 4-3 by Michael Holt in the final tournament of the European Tour Championship, which was held in Prague.
Higgins has made a sensational return to snooker after he was found guilty of bringing the game into misconduct for failing to report an illegal approach. The player was cleared of the more serious allegation of match fixing.
The players return has been met with mixed reactions from players and fans and Higgins is now doing his best to repair his tarnished reputation.
Higgins won the previous European Tour Championship in Germany, but he failed to back up his impressive return with a second title in Prague.
Holt opened up a 2-0 lead against Higgins, but the Nottingham-born player could not halt a comeback and the Scot took three frames in quick succession.
However, Holt showed remarkable resolve and took the next two frames to win the match. Breaks of 74 and 64 gave him a 4-3 win and this was enough to see of a strong Higgins challenge.
Speaking to reporters, Holt said, "I've always said that I can play the game and I'm good enough to win things. In fact I stopped saying it because people thought I was lying. I just needed some confidence and to be able to handle the situation when it mattered.”
Holt impressed throughout the tournament and knocked out a number of significant players on his run to the final. “I couldn't have had a tougher draw as I had to beat Stephen Maguire, Mark Selby and Shaun Murphy to get to the final. It's definitely the best
moment of my career and hopefully I can kick on now and get up the rankings," said Holt.
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