Higgins - masterful display. (Allsport)

HIGGINS BREEZES PAST O'SULLIVAN

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Glasgow belonged to John Higgins on Sunday night as he ended his search for a first title in his native Scotland.

The former world champion and world number one defeated Ronnie O'Sullivan 9-6 to prevent the holder retaining his trophy.

It was Higgins' second tournament win of the new season and he is well on the way to emulating O'Sullivan's achievement of six titles last term.

"It's been a long wait but well worthwhile," said the 26-year-old Wishaw-born star, a professional for nine years.

"To have my friends and family here to see me win makes it really special."

Wife Denise, who is expecting the couple's first child any day now, was in the crowd to see her husband pocket a £63,000 first prize.

"I was really choked at the end," said happy Higgins. "I looked up at Denise and she seemed to have a tear in her eye.

"And that made me fill up as well. But that's how much it means. It wasn't a great final but to be honest I don't really care."

The 22nd victory of Higgins' career ended a run of five consecutive defeats against his English rival, including last season's world championship final.

But doubts began to appear when O'Sullivan made breaks of 80, 117, 50 and 57 to turn a 2-0 deficit into a 4-2 lead.

He might have gone 5-2 up but missed a tricky final blue. Higgins stole the frame on the black to begin a spree of seven frames out of the last nine.

In the last two frames 25-year-old O'Sullivan did not pot a ball as his Tartan rival treated a sell-out crowd to further runs of 114 and 60.

"I might have beaten anyone else tonight other than John," said the world number two from Chigwell.

"But even in his bad spells he just sticks in there. He's so consistent though I didn't really give him a game.

"The scoreline may look close but 9-6 wasn't a fair reflection. John was so strong and I couldn't keep up.

"But three days before this tournament began I wasn't going to play here. So to reach the final isn't too bad."

O'Sullivan, who has now lost two of last season's six titles, picked up a consolation prize for £31,000.

He also received an extra £5,000 bonus for his semi-final high break of 134 against Marco Fu.

Higgins is also hoping for a bonus in the coming week.

"Denise told me she was going to wait to have the baby and she's done me proud," smiled the new champion.