Higgins edged out by Thai star in Scottish Open

Thai star Noppon Saengkham stands between Englishman Gary Wilson and the successful defence of the BetVictor Scottish Open snooker title.

The 31-year-old from Samut Prakan ended John Higgins’ bid to claim the title for the first time with a 6-3 victory in their semi-final at Meadowbank.

And progression to the final represents the best result in the career of the man nicknamed Moo.

Higgins (pictured) started well, winning the first frame 84-4 but his rival posted a break of 63 to takes the next 131-0 and level at 1-1.

The man nicknamed the Wishaw Wizard claimed a break of 130 to win the third 131-0 and edge ahead 2-1 and he took the fourth with a break of 92 to lead 3-1 then the rot set in. 

Higgins accumulated a break of 53 in the fifth but lost the frame 67-54 and the Thai player claimed the sixth with a 133 clearance to level at 3-3.

And Saengkham, ranked No 26 in the world, closed out the game with wins in the next three frames, 77-46, 121-0 thanks to a break of 120, and 83-35 with a break of 83.

So, Higgins, ranked No 12, and twice runner-up in the Scottish, will have to wait another year to to claim his home title while Wilson, ranked No 20, faces a man on a roll in the final which starts at 19.00.