John Higgins says his stunning deciding-frame clearance to beat Mark Allen at the World Championship will live with him forever, describing it as one of his best moments in snooker.<\/p>\n The Wizard of Wishaw and the Pistol played out an epic contest at the Crucible which went all the way to 12-12 late on Monday night.<\/p>\n Allen looked to be the one getting over the line as he made a break of 62 before missing a red with the rest and allowing Higgins a slim chance of pinching victory.<\/p>\n The Scot came to the table with little on and immediately took on a reverse double which went in and put him perfectly on the black, a shot that Stephen Hendry suggested was the bravest he had ever seen.<\/p>\n Higgins would go on to make 71, winning the match on the final black and booking his place in the quarter-finals where he will meet Kyren Wilson.<\/p>\n The four-time world champion is known for his epic \u2018dishes\u2019 to win frames, but it has been a testing time for him over the last two or three years, being on the wrong end of a number of painful and close defeats rather than handing them out.<\/p>\n Given that context, he feels this latest dish is his finest ever.<\/p>\n \u2018The best, probably,\u2019 Higgins said of his clearance. \u2018With everything that\u2019s been before in the last couple of years, to stand up there under the ultimate pressure. It\u2019s the best.\u2019<\/p>\n The 48-year-old admitted that emotions were running high while Allen was at the table, with his top 16 place on the line if he lost and the possibility he may never return to the Crucible.<\/p>\n \u2018I was just trying to stay positive in my chair, not give off any negative energy,\u2019 he said. \u2018But I was also steeling myself, I was getting my speech ready, what I was going to say to Mark. I never expected him to miss. <\/p>\n \u2018I thoroughly enjoyed the occasion of playing here at the Crucible again. I had a little look round about when Mark was on about 50 and thought, \u201cI\u2019ll miss this place if I never get here again.\u201d So luckily for me it changed round and I\u2019ve got another chance to get out there and make more memories.\u2019<\/p>\n Doubling in the opening red was a moment of snooker genius from the Scot, but one that reminded him of another of his classic moments on the table.<\/p>\n Higgins cleared up to win a deciding frame in the 2006 Masters final against Ronnie O\u2019Sullivan, which also included a doubled red along the way.<\/p>\n \u2018When I was on the double I was thinking it reminds me a bit of the Ronnie O\u2019Sullivan in the Masters,\u2019 he said. \u2018I was thinking it could be special if I doubled it.\u2019<\/p>\n Then came an immense break, followed by a memorable celebration as he held his arms aloft to the Crucible crowd.<\/p>\n \u2018You\u2019re just trying to stay in the moment. Trying to push the cue through straight,\u2019 he said. \u2018I felt really calm. Just as that black goes in, I can\u2019t even remember whatever I did, but it was a proud moment for me, really proud. It was incredible. One of my best ever moments.\u2019<\/p>\n Higgins has admitted that belief in big moments has sapped away over the last couple of years, but things could change after that effort under monumental pressure.<\/p>\n \u2018It should do a hell of a lot, it should do wonders for me, now that I can do it at the hardest place to play snooker. That should give me confidence,\u2019 he said.<\/p>\n \u2018Onwards and upwards. Some good things can happen now, when you believe. Brilliant memory. That will live me forever, that clearance.<\/p>\n \u2018Just keep believing. Don\u2019t get too down on yourself, because I am still capable of producing some good memories. Always believe.\u2019<\/p>\n Allen had a classy message for the winner despite the nightmare end to the game,saying Higgins can go all the way to a fifth world title.<\/p>\n \u2018I said to him at the end, he can go on and win this, he\u2019s one of the very few that can. He just needs to believe it,\u2019 said Allen. \u2018I know he hasn\u2019t had the best of times in regards to winning things, but there\u2019s not many people can do that at 12-12 in the Crucible. <\/p>\n \u2018He needs to give himself a massive pat on the back. He can go on and win this thing. John\u2019s a good guy, one of the guys I would class as a friend on the tour. Yes I\u2019m disappointed but he\u2019s one of the ones I\u2019m going to be cheering on.\u2019<\/p>\n \n\t \n\t For more stories like this,\u00a0check our sport page<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on \t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n \n \t\t\t\t\t![\"Cazoo](\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/GettyImages-2150747103.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&zoom=1&resize=644%2C429\")
\n<\/div>
\n![\"Cazoo](\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/GettyImages-2150748116.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&zoom=1&resize=540%2C360\")
\n<\/div>
\n![\"Cazoo](\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/GettyImages-2150746963.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&zoom=1&resize=540%2C360\")
\n<\/div>
\n\tMORE : Ronnie O\u2019Sullivan speaks out on anxiety struggles: \u2018For two years I\u2019ve held it down\u2019
\n\t<\/span>\n\t<\/p>\n
\n\tMORE : Dave Gilbert credits Andy Lee as \u2018mega\u2019 force behind resurgent form
\n\t<\/span>\n\t<\/p>\n
\nFacebook,\u00a0<\/strong>Twitter<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Instagram<\/strong>.<\/p>\n![\"Snooker\"](\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/210902_LikeSport_Snooker-a2d9.png?w=540&strip=true&quality=90\")
<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n