John Higgins admitted he had the best seat in the house after being hammered by Judd Trump in the World Championship final.

The Wizard of Wishaw defeated Trump in the 2011 final but had no answer to some outstanding snooker from potting sensation Trump who took the title for the first time in the highest scoring final in Crucible history.

The 18-9 scoreline saw Trump hit seven centuries while Higgins hit four and was on his way to a 147 maximum before missing the 15th and final black.

Higgins said: “Judd was awesome, absolutely awesome. I was lucky to get nine frames.

“Judd was just unplayable, he was an unstoppable machine.

“I was the lucky one because I didn’t have to pay for a ticket.

“He’ll win many more world titles playing that standard, he was incredible.

“I’ve never faced that sustained scoring in a match. If he keeps playing like that he can dominate.

“He doesn’t just dominate you, he dominates the table. There’s not a shot he can’t play.

“This defeat won’t hurt as much as the other two, because there was nothing I could do. I’ve got no complaints, he just blew me away.”

Higgins was bidding to level rival Ronnie O’Sullivan’s Crucible crowns and make up for heart-wrenching final defeats to Mark Selby in 2017 and Mark Williams last year.

However, a dazzling opening day from Trump saw the 29-year-old reel off eight frames in a row and fire in four centuries and take a 12-5 lead heading into Monday’s concluding sessions.

Six-times world champion Steve Davis called it “one of the most incredible performances I have seen here in one session.”

Despite missing out on a 147, Higgins grabbed the opening frame of the afternoon session.

And a break of 59 saw the 43-year-old cut the gap further, but Trump powered 15-7 ahead with runs 101, 71 and 126.

Higgins rallied with breaks of 67 and 70 before Trump reasserted his seven-frame cushion to end the session with the 100th century of the tournament - missing the 14th red for a 147 of his own.

And Trump wrapped up the match in double-quick time with 94 and 62 breaks as Higgins potted just one ball in the final two frames.

Higgins added: “It was sustained brilliance, there was nothing I could do.

“There is no shot he cannot play, it is pretty daunting when he is like that.”