John Higgins does not have great expectations in Shanghai. The Four-time World Champion insists he will be happy with winning just one match in the event.
The Scot last lifted a trophy in Shanghai back in 2012, and ever since then, has not enjoyed a good record in the event since he began competing.
A finish in the Semi-finals in 2017 is the only time Higgins has been passed the second round since he last won it in 2012, and he will be pleased just to get a win.
‘I just want to win one match!’ Higgins said while speaking to World Snooker. I have not always had a good record in Shanghai except from that final with Judd Trump in 2012.
‘It is a difficult event because you are playing against the best snooker players in the world. I just find it to be an amazing tournament to be a part of.
‘The Shanghai Masters is one of the biggest tournaments we play in all year, and it is a fantastic city to go to.’
The Final with Trump which Higgins references were an all-time snooker classic, which saw the Wizard of Wishaw bounce back from 5-0 and 7-2 behind, hitting a 147 along the way, to win 10-9 in an absolute phenomenal match, that the winner obviously has fond memories of.
‘That was just a brilliant match,’ continued the 44-year-old.’ Judd played very well at the start and was completely keeping me out. I was 5-0 behind, and it seemed as if he was just going to go on and win the match. ‘
‘However, I managed to make a maximum break which was a wonderful moment. Although, I still ended the first session 7-2 behind, and you do not really give yourself much of a chance from that position.
‘I was fortunate that I began to play much better and he missed a number of balls. We always seem to have good matches against each other, and that was certainly one of them.’
September is a busy month for Higgins with the recently concluded Six Red World Championship followed by the Shanghai and then the China Championship, which he had earlier qualified for.
He will either face Barry Hawkins or Yan Bingtao in the second round of the Shanghai Masters which kicks off on 9 September.
John Higgins is priced at 16.25 to win the 2019 Shanghai Master.
Written by: Aruorihwo Imisa
