John Higgins has suggested he could retire after labelling a missed shot against Neil Robertson ‘unforgivable’ as he lost the Tour Championship final in Llandudno.
Robertson made a stunning comeback from 9-4 down to defeat Higgins 10-9 and retain the title. While Higgins took a strong 3-0 lead with impressive breaks of 136 and 126, Robertson came close to making a maximum break in the sixth frame as he agonisingly missed the last blue but tied the match at 3-3.
The Scot won six of the next seven frames to establish a stranglehold on the game, but Robertson began an incredible recovery. He then won a pulsating deciding frame with a break of 72 to claim a 23rd ranking title and the prize of £150,000.
Higgins was deeply frustrated with his performance, and dropped several hints to suggest he was considering retirement after blowing such a lead.
“Neil came back and put me under unbelievable pressure and I just never stood up to it,” said Higgins. “What can you say, but it was unforgivable the red I missed in the decider.
“That’s a shot that can ruin or end your career. I enjoyed the match, but the way it ended will leave some real mental scars.
“I am feeling numb just now, that’s the way it goes. There was a moment I thought I had the match won, and I played really well in the game. But look, there are worse things that can happen in life.”
It is the third time this season that Higgins has lost a ranking final when needing only one frame to win. In both the English final against Robertson in November and the Northern Ireland Open final against Mark Allen in October, the four-time world champion led 8-6 but succumbed 9-8.
Robertson, who Ronnie O’Sullivan hailed as the best player in the world, admitted he was pleased but thought the win was lucky. He said: “It was just a freak match and result. John was completely outplaying me today, and I had no answers.
“At 9-4 down I just thought if you’re going to go out, do it going for a long pot. I dug very deep and still believed, and things started to go my way.
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“Ronnie threw everything at me in the semi-final as well – the kitchen sink, the car and the house. But I have been playing well enough to withstand this sort of thing.”
The 2010 World Champion is now eyeing a second Crucible title, adding: “That's given me a huge amount of belief. Even if I'd lost 10-9 I would have had massive belief because I had come back so well.
“Every tournament I enter, I fancy winning it if I can play well.”
The World Championship starts at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield on April 16.
