Snooker: JOHN ON CUE FOR MARK

WORLD No.2 John Higgins gained his biggest ever victory ever over Stephen Hendry to reach the final of the Liverpool Victoria UK championship at Bourne-mouth last night.

Higgins, who today faces holder Mark Williams over 19 frames for the pounds 78,000 first prize, defeated Hendry 9-4, his sixth victory over the seven times world champion who had thrashed his Scottish rival 9-1 at the semi-final stage of the 1995 championship.

Two years ago Higgins defeated Matthew Stevens to win his first UK title - and bidding to win a second, the Wishaw ace set his stall out in taking a 6-2 lead at half way.

"It was just a case afterwards of going for it frame by frame and I was happy about that," said Higgins whose highest breaks were a 91, 66, 64, 57 and 53.

He continued: "Stephen missed a bad brown in the first frame and that lifted my own confidence. I went on to lead 3-0 and wasn't really in trouble after that. I've been looking forward to playing here but I don't expect to get back to my best until the New Year."

Higgins revealed that his wedding in Wishaw on December 22 along with problems regarding a new house, were weighing heavily on his mind. "Once this is all out of the way, I'll be a lot better for it. It will be a bonus to win this one and to do well in China later this month," he added.

"That would set me up nicely for the wedding and a honeymoon in Mauritius.

"But it certainly won't be easy against Mark. He is the No.1 player and defending champion so that might put a bit of pressure on him.

"But if I keep on playing like this, I must have a half decent chance of winning."

Williams has already appeared in three other finals this season and a total of eight in the past 12 months.

Only three players - Hendry, Higgins and Steve Davis had won 10 or more world ranking events until Williams joined the club following his second Grand Prix victory at Telford in October.

Typically, he admitted: "I honestly never dreamed I would win that many. But it certainly feels great."

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