John Higgins kept his best until last as he emerged victorious from a classic British Open snooker final in Plymouth last night with a nailbiting 9-8 victory over arch-rival Stephen Hendry.

On seven separate occasions world number one Hendry moved ahead but Higgins stubbornly refused to accept defeat. Leading 87, Hendry appeared to be on course to complete back-to-back world ranking tournament triumphs but found it impossible to close out proceedings.

Higgins, his closest pursuer on the world ranking list, spectacularly drew level at 8-8 with a 102 break - the highest of the match - and also held his nerve to take the all-important 17th frame.

Higgins, winner of the British Open in 1995, required only one scoring visit to pocket the £60,000 first prize and lift the 10th trophy of his pro career. Hendry attempted a red from distance, never threatened the pocket, and Higgins clinically put together a contribution of 85 to cross the line.

It was the first time all day that the consistent 22-year-old from Wishaw, near Glasgow, had been ahead.