Carter and Higgins in final showdown (From South Wales Argus)

Carter and Higgins in final showdown

1:09pm Sunday 31st January 2010 in Sport

DEFENDING champion Ali Carter takes on Scotland's John Higgins in today's Welsh Open snooker final at the Newport Centre.

Carter overcame Stephen Maguire 6-3 in yesterday's first semi-final before world number four Higgins shocked world number one Ronnie O'Sullivan 6-4 last night in a classic encounter.

Higgins said: "It's been a long time coming (since his last appearance in the final of the Welsh Open) but I'm delighted.

"The first four frames were great then we both started missing a few balls. Ronnie then missed one in the eighth and I managed to get in and clear up which was the turning point.

"Sometimes you go on a run against a player, I know it's happened to me before but I'll take any win against Ronnie.

"Obviously the final will be tough. Ali is back to the way he can play. He's had a family and we all know how that can take up your time but he's back to cueing well again. I'm sure it will be a big match."

O'Sullivan said: "It was a professional performance from John. He's a top, top player, everyone knows that and if you don't take enough chances you'll get beat."

The final is the best of 17 frames and kicks off at 1.30pm with the evening session starting at 7pm tonight.