2 days ago
49
STEPHEN HENDRY believes John Higgins could win the World Snooker Championship.
He has been impressed by the veteran this season, whose form has improved significantly since he adopted a new cue.
PA
GettyHiggins claimed the 32nd ranking title of his career by winning the Weide Cup World Open earlier this month.
He also beat world champion Kyren Wilson in the World Grand Prix this week and Hendry believes his “fire is still burning”.
Higgins has reached the latter stages at the Crucible in recent years and Hendry thinks he may have got that winning feeling back, suggesting that could stand him in good stead in Sheffield.
He said on the Snooker Club Podcast: “I think he’s obviously a different animal to Mark Williams, who takes it and leaves it whatever happens.
“I think John is more intense about his career and this win will have given him tremendous belief of winning again. He might have questioned that. That fire is still burning.
“He won’t be a prolific winner again, but having got that win he can definitely do it once or twice a season.
“The interesting one to me will be Sheffield. John Higgins going there with belief behind him, I wouldn’t like to write him off.”
Higgins, 49, is a four-time world champion but he last lifted the trophy in 2011 and lost in three consecutive finals between 2017 and 2019.
However he has got his mojo back this season and the Scot puts it down to his new cue.
He said: “I’ve changed cues. Something I’ve signed up to, similar to Mark Williams, I’ve signed up to be an ambassador in China for 10 years.
“They’re a cue maker and they’ve made me a few. The cue I’ve picked is an absolute belter.
“I’ve got so much confidence playing with it, it’s so powerful. So it’s onwards and upwards for me.”
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