John Higgins feels that he’s a better player now than he has ever been in his incredible career, after turning in another superb display at the English Open on Tuesday night.
The four-time world champion whitewashed Oliver Lines 4-0 in the last 64 in Milton Keynes, making breaks of 89, 88, 84 and 70 along the way.
The 46-year-old has been in fine fettle this season, reaching the final of the Northern Ireland Open, losing in a deciding frame to Mark Allen.
The one-visit kills against Lines were reminiscent of the form Higgins showed when he romped to the Players Championship title in February, hammering Jordan Brown, Mark Selby, Kyren Wilson and Ronnie O’Sullivan en route to the title
As impressive as that performance was, the Scot feels he is a better player now than at that event or at any other point of his career.
‘No, really good, aye,’ Higgins said on his form. ‘Oli will be disappointed because he had a chance in nearly ever frame, but I just capitalised with one visits to clear up. I was happy with the way I hit it there.
‘Listen, I think I’m a better player now than I’ve ever been, but it doesn’t mean you’re going to win, because there’s unbelievable players at the top of the game nowadays.
‘I wasn’t able to play like that, I don’t think, back in the 90s or the early 2000s. I think I’m a better player now, but it’s tougher, it’s as simple as that.’
‘Guys like [Judd] Trump, Neil [Robertson] and [Mark] Selby, the way they play is unbelievable. I’m just proud that I’m still up there competing.’
Considering Higgins has won 31 ranking titles, including four World Championships and three UK Championships, feeling like he is playing his best snooker now is a huge testament to the form he is in.
The Wizard is into the last 32 of the English Open in his bid to win the tournament for the first time, meeting in his next contest.
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