Higgins wins fourth title at snooker worlds

     SHEFFIELD, May 2 (Xinhua) -- John Higgins from Scotland defeated England rising star Judd Trump¹ 18-15 to clinch² his fourth title at the Snooker World Championship on Monday.

    The 35-year-old world No. 1 Higgins trailed behind 10-7 after the first two sessions on Sunday, but managed to overcome the 21-year-old qualifier Trump and lifted his fourth career world trophy(奖品，战利品).

    "It's just an unbelievable feeling to beat Judd like that," said Higgins who burst into tears after the victory. "I was frightened to death to even play safe as I knew Judd would knock a long pot in and he has been incredible."Trump kept sharp in the final at Crucible³ Theatre just as he did in his sensational⁴ wins over defending world champion Neil Robertson, former world champion GraemeDott as well as Chinese talent Ding Junhui.

    However, the gifted rising star missed a difficult blue which could have put him 13-9 up. Three-time champion Higgins showed his experience by nicking that frame and adding the next three, taking over the lead 13-12 after the third session.

    In the final session, Trump pulled two back to make 14 all, but conceded to the seasoned Higgins with some mistakes in the last couple of frames.

    "I have tried my best and it just wasn't enough this time," said Trump. "but I will come back next year."Meanwhile, Higgins has targeted Stephen Hendry's World Championship record of seven titles.

    "I've won it in three of the last five seasons and have dedicated⁵ myself so I just want to keep on winning it as it's an incredible feeling. I don't see any reason why I can't do it and I have another five years to try and win it three times," said Higgins.(本文由在线英语听力室整理编辑)

1 trump   

n.王牌，法宝；v.打出王牌，吹喇叭

参考例句：

• He was never able to trump up the courage to have a showdown.他始终鼓不起勇气摊牌。
• The coach saved his star player for a trump card.教练保留他的明星选手，作为他的王牌。

2 clinch   

v.敲弯，钉牢；确定；扭住对方 [参]clench

参考例句：

• Clinch the boards together.用钉子把木板钉牢在一起。
• We don't accept us dollars,please Swiss francs to clinch a deal business.我方不收美元，请最好用瑞士法郎来成交生意。

3 crucible   

n.坩锅，严酷的考验

参考例句：

• The alliance had been forged in the crucible of war.这个联盟经受了战争的严峻考验。
• Put the required amount of metal into the crucible.把适量的金属放入坩埚。

4 sensational   

adj.使人感动的，非常好的，轰动的，耸人听闻的

参考例句：

• Papers of this kind are full of sensational news reports.这类报纸满是耸人听闻的新闻报道。
• Their performance was sensational.他们的演出妙极了。

5 dedicated   

adj.一心一意的；献身的；热诚的

参考例句：

• He dedicated his life to the cause of education.他献身于教育事业。
• His whole energies are dedicated to improve the design.他的全部精力都放在改进这项设计上了。