John Higgins produced two superb displays to win week nine of the Partypoker.com Premier League and end his substandard campaign on a high.
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The reigning world champion found himself in a strange position before the start of play, knowing that whatever happened, he could not qualify for the play-offs.
The Wizard of Wishaw showed promising form ahead of the UK Championship, firstly ending Ali Carter's play-off hopes with a 3-1 victory, before defeating Mark Williams by the same scoreline in the final.
Williams however secured the frame he needed in the final to ensure his attendance on finals night in Norfolk at the end of the month.
Higgins got off to a flier in the final, clinching the £1,000 high break prize with a magnificent 125 break to take the lead.
Welshman Williams prevailed from a bout of safety play and eventually secured the vital frame he required with a run of 43.
With the pressure off for both players, the next two frames proved a formality, as Higgins knocked in a fine 89 and sealed the win with a 48.
“That was the best I’ve played in Premier League so it was good to get a win. It’s not nice to come into a night when you can’t do anything but I’m happy I won ahead of the UK and Masters,” said Higgins.
Williams had earlier defeated fellow country man Matthew Stevens 3-0 in the all-important semi-final and became the third player to book his place in the play-offs.
“I did well in the first match and I needed one frame to get through which I did. John played well though. I’m in the play-offs and as they say, you’ve got to be in it to win it,” said Williams.
Both players will now travel straight to Antwerp to compete in the ninth PTC event of the season.
Next week sees the completion of the league stage of the Premier League in Grimsby, as defending champion Ronnie O'Sullivan looks to secure his finals spot against Jimmy White.
Week nine results
John Higgins 3-1 Ali Carter
Mark Williams 3-0 Matthew Stevens
Final - John Higgins 3-1 Mark Williams
2011 Premier League Table
P W L PTS
1. Ding Junhui 4 5 2 16 (Q)
2. Judd Trump 3 4 1 14 (Q)
3. Mark Williams 4 2 2 13 (Q)
4. Ronnie O'Sullivan 3 3 2 12
-----------------------------
5. Neil Robertson 4 3 3 12
6. John Higgins 4 3 3 11
7. Ali Carter 4 2 3 10
8. Matthew Stevens 4 3 2 9
9. Shaun Murphy 3 1 3 7
10. Jimmy White 3 0 3 2
