English Open snooker: John Higgins sees record 29-year stay in top 16 ended by Neil Robertson triumph
Published 23/09/2024 at 11:12 GMT+1
John Higgins will begin a week outside of snooker's elite top 16 for the first time since 1995 after Neil Robertson lifted the English Open title on Sunday to nudge the four-time world champion into 17th spot in the latest provisional rankings. Robertson earned £100,000 with his 9-7 final win over Wu Yize, seeing him move up to 15th spot. It was the Australian's 24th ranking victory since 2006.
‘I got one’ - Robertson jokes with crowd after fluking red against Wu in English Open final
Video credit: TNT Sports
John Higgins will get an immediate chance to bounce back at this week's British Open after losing his spot in the top 16 for the first time since 1995.
Neil Robertson's 9-7 victory over Wu Yize, who had recovered from 8-2 down, in the English Open final on Sunday in Brentwood saw the Australian player secure his return to the elite at the expense of Higgins, who lost 4-3 to Mark Allen in the last 16.
It could be a brief absence if Higgins can enjoy a lengthy run at the British Open, with Higgins facing fellow Scot Ross Muir in his opening match at the Centaur in Cheltenham at 3pm on Monday, 23 September.
Despite losing 10-3 to compatriot Alan McManus on his World Championship debut in April 1995, Higgins ended the 1994/95 campaign as world No. 11 and has enjoyed a record run among the game's elite.
It was a period in time when Take That was No. 1 in the UK singles chart with Back for Good, Bad Boys was topping the cinema charts and John Major was into his fifth year of seven as British Prime Minister.
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1,000 centuries! Higgins gets standing ovation for 'tremendous achievement'
Video credit: TNT Sports
Higgins has claimed the world No. 1 spot four times between 1998 and 2011, winning his four world titles (1998, 2007, 2009 and 2011) within the same time frame.
The Wishaw player also occupies 14th spot in the end-of-season rankings as he bids to end another season inside the top 16.
Meanwhile, Robertson's 24th ranking title sees him move up from 26th to 15th in the standings before he discovers his last-64 opponent at the British Open from the FA Cup-style open draw.
The former world No. 1 ended a two-year wait for a major trophy after winning the final six frames in a 10-9 win over Higgins at the 2022 Tour Championship.
“Up until 8-2 in the final, you could argue this was the best I’ve ever played in a tournament," Robertson told reporters.
"I controlled so many matches and only conceded five frames to get to the final. I am really pleased with everything."
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LATEST WORLD RANKINGS AFTER ENGLISH OPEN
1. Judd Trump (Eng) 1,479,200
2. Kyren Wilson (Eng) 984,500
3. Mark Allen (NI) 942,200
4. Ronnie O'Sullivan (Eng) 739,500
5. Mark Selby (Eng) 661,700
6. Luca Brecel (Bel) 659,900
7. Mark Williams (Wal) 655,000
8. Shaun Murphy (Eng) 604,300
9. Ding Junhui (Chn) 461,500
10. Gary Wilson (Eng) 451,400
11. Ali Carter (Eng) 444,900
12. Zhang Anda (Chn) 439,750
13. Si Jiahui (Chn) 361,400
14. Tom Ford (Eng) 343,850
15. Neil Robertson (Aus) 338,350
16. Jak Jones (Wal) 327,500
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