Mark Selby explains how John Higgins 'punished' him in Tour Championship final

described as a 'warrior' after he lost an epic Tour Championship final 10-8 in Manchester. An before Higgins mounted a mega comeback.

Selby trailed 5-1 before leading 8-5. The 41-year-old seemed destined to claim the title from there in the best-of-19-frame event. However, Higgins staged a remarkable comeback to win each of the next five frames. Selby could scarcely believe what was happening and confessed that he was 'punished' by one of snooker's greatest-ever players.

"He is incredible, isn't he? That's why he is an all-time great," Selby told ITV. "The way he played from 8-5 was incredible. That was brutal from 8-5, I think I only missed the pink in the middle and other than that, my head was spinning some of the things that were going on.

"Taking nothing away from John, when he got his chance today he punished me. I put it to him at 8-5 and he stood up like the warrior he is."

Selby has been pleased with his form this year and will head into the World Championship as one of the favourites. The four-time world champion believes his performances have been better than they were the year prior.

"I've played some good stuff this week," the world No. 4 continued. "This season I have played some decent stuff and been knocking on the door a lot more often than I was last season. But you know what, tonight is not about me. It's about John. I want to say a big thanks to the crowd for supporting us both all week."

Higgins described his performance as the 'best ever win' of his career. The 49-year-old also lavished praise on Selby. However, in a bad omen for Higgins, no player has ever won the Tour Championship and subsequently succeeded in the following World Championship.

"You are playing a monster of a player," Higgins said. "To be 5-1 up and to be frozen out to be 8-5 behind, you don't come back and win five in a row against Mark Selby normally.

"I managed to do it, so it was incredible. It is incredibly difficult. You are just hitting a brick wall and I've done it so many times against him over the years. He just plays incredible stuff. It was my best ever win."