WORLD SNOOKER PLAYER PROFILES

Higgins - 1998 world champion (Getty Images). (5) John Higgins World Ranking: 5 Provisional Ranking: 5 Date Of Birth: 18/05/75 World Championship Best: Winner - 1998 Having not one a ranking title for three years Higgins finally ended the drought when he scooped the British Open in November. That 9-6 victory over Stephen Maguire ended a frustrating spell on the circuit for the Scotsman who admitted to struggling with his concentration. His impressive displays in Brighton lifted his confidence and as a result Higgins has enjoyed a more fluent season. The 29-year-old reached the semi-finals of the Malta Cup and then picked up a hefty runners-up prize in the Rileys Club Masters after losing to Ronnie O'Sullivan. Higgins finest moment in snooker was in 1998 when he won the World Championship by beating Ken Doherty 18-12, a result that also earned him the number one spot in the world rankings. The two-times UK Champion nearly replicated his 1998 success when he reached the 2001 Crucible final but O'Sullivan proved too strong. A promising draw, he opens up against Mark Selby, means that Higgins will be hopeful of a semi-final berth.