This year is unlikely to go down as one of the finest in the career of John Higgins, the three-time world snooker champion.
The Scotsman was accused by The News of the World newspaper in the UK in May of match-fixing, and the allegations looked serious enough at one point to end his career.
He was cleared of those charges, but was suspended for six months for not having brought the approach to fix frames to the authorities when it had happened.
The UK Championship was Higgins's first tournament back in action after his ban had expired, and the 35-year-old made it a winning return on Sunday as he came from behind to beat Mark Williams 10-9 in the final.
The success is unlikely to make up fully for the anguish he had suffered during his imposed time away from the sport, but Higgins confessed he was "a man on a mission" at the UK Championship.
He had stated his desire to lift the crown for his dad, John, who is losing his five-year battle against cancer.
"I was a man on a mission. I was really determined to try and stop anything which prevented me from winning it," Higgins said.
"Given everything that surrounds it, this is my finest hour on the table.
"It means everything, just to be back playing and winning. It means a great deal.
"Obviously it means a great deal to my family as well."
Trailing 9-5 in the best-of-19 match, Higgins had looked out of it against his Welsh opponent, but he won five frames in a row to seal a superb fightback.
"I just never gave up," he added. "I thought 9-5 was too big a mountain but each frame was going past and I was still in it.
"It is an unbelievable feeling."
Williams, a two-time world champion, paid tribute to the Scotsman's fighting qualities.
He said: "John did well to come back, to be fair to him.
"I felt the gods were against me on a couple of occasions but I have got no complaints overall.
"I have been pretty dreadful all week. That was probably the best match I played all week.
"The best player in the tournament won but I had a chance to nick it and probably threw it away."
Higgins's success - his 22nd ranking title - moves him to No 1 in the world rankings above Neil Robertson, the world champion.
* Press Association
Company Profile
Company name: Hoopla
Date started: March 2023
Founder: Jacqueline Perrottet
Based: Dubai
Number of staff: 10
Investment stage: Pre-seed
Investment required: $500,000
Defined benefit and defined contribution schemes explained
Defined Benefit Plan (DB)
A defined benefit plan is where the benefit is defined by a formula, typically length of service to and salary at date of leaving.
Defined Contribution Plan (DC)
A defined contribution plan is where the benefit depends on the amount of money put into the plan for an employee, and how much investment return is earned on those contributions.
Sarfira
Director: Sudha Kongara Prasad
Starring: Akshay Kumar, Radhika Madan, Paresh Rawal
Rating: 2/5
ROUTE TO TITLE
Round 1: Beat Leolia Jeanjean 6-1, 6-2
Round 2: Beat Naomi Osaka 7-6, 1-6, 7-5
Round 3: Beat Marie Bouzkova 6-4, 6-2
Round 4: Beat Anastasia Potapova 6-0, 6-0
Quarter-final: Beat Marketa Vondrousova 6-0, 6-2
Semi-final: Beat Coco Gauff 6-2, 6-4
Final: Beat Jasmine Paolini 6-2, 6-2
more from Janine di Giovanni
Opening day UAE Premiership fixtures, Friday, September 22:
- Dubai Sports City Eagles v Dubai Exiles
- Dubai Hurricanes v Abu Dhabi Saracens
- Jebel Ali Dragons v Abu Dhabi Harlequins
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
Electric scooters: some rules to remember
- Riders must be 14-years-old or over
- Wear a protective helmet
- Park the electric scooter in designated parking lots (if any)
- Do not leave electric scooter in locations that obstruct traffic or pedestrians
- Solo riders only, no passengers allowed
- Do not drive outside designated lanes
The biog
DOB: March 13, 1987
Place of birth: Jeddah, Saudi Arabia but lived in Virginia in the US and raised in Lebanon
School: ACS in Lebanon
University: BSA in Graphic Design at the American University of Beirut
MSA in Design Entrepreneurship at the School of Visual Arts in New York City
Nationality: Lebanese
Status: Single
Favourite thing to do: I really enjoy cycling, I was a participant in Cycling for Gaza for the second time this year
Scores in brief:
- New Medical Centre 129-5 in 17 overs bt Zayed Cricket Academy 125-6 in 20 overs.
- William Hare Abu Dhabi Gymkhana 188-8 in 20 overs bt One Stop Tourism 184-8 in 20 overs
- Alubond Tigers 138-7 in 20 overs bt United Bank Limited 132-7 in 20 overs
- Multiplex 142-6 in 17 overs bt Xconcepts Automobili 140 all out in 20 overs
The biog
Alwyn Stephen says much of his success is a result of taking an educated chance on business decisions.
His advice to anyone starting out in business is to have no fear as life is about taking on challenges.
“If you have the ambition and dream of something, follow that dream, be positive, determined and set goals.
"Nothing and no-one can stop you from succeeding with the right work application, and a little bit of luck along the way.”
Mr Stephen sells his luxury fragrances at selected perfumeries around the UAE, including the House of Niche Boutique in Al Seef.
He relaxes by spending time with his family at home, and enjoying his wife’s India cooking.
Confirmed bouts (more to be added)
Cory Sandhagen v Umar Nurmagomedov
Nick Diaz v Vicente Luque
Michael Chiesa v Tony Ferguson
Deiveson Figueiredo v Marlon Vera
Mackenzie Dern v Loopy Godinez
Tickets for the August 3 Fight Night, held in partnership with the Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi, went on sale earlier this month, through www.etihadarena.ae and www.ticketmaster.ae.
JAPANESE GRAND PRIX INFO
Schedule (All times UAE)
First practice: Friday, 5-6.30am
Second practice: Friday, 9-10.30am
Third practice: Saturday, 7-8am
Qualifying: Saturday, 10-11am
Race: Sunday, 9am-midday
Race venue: Suzuka International Racing Course
Circuit Length: 5.807km
Number of Laps: 53
Watch live: beIN Sports HD
