GIMME FIVE

Higgins: Making history this year would top the lot

- NEIL GOULDING

JOHN HIGGINS wants to end a season of heartbreak with victory at the Betfred World Championship.

The four-time champion has painfully lost in five big finals this term.

But the 46-year-old, who has lost 10 of his last 11 big finals, is sick of being snooker's bridesmaid and would love nothing more than to banish his recent agony with a glorious fifth Crucible crown.

World No.6 Higgins would become the first player to land the prestigious gong in four different decades if he conquered the Crucible for the first time since 2011.

"If I were to win, then it would be the best one of my career, said Higgins, ahead of the blockbuster event which kicks off today. “If you think about the length of time from the first one in 1998 it would be incredible.

"To win the World Championship in four different decades would be a huge achievement. Who knows if I can manage it?

"It'll be incredibly difficult but I'm just trying to give myself the best possible chance. I've done that away from the table. Now I have that sorted, I have to hope that my ability and game on the table will be able to take me there.