Neil Robertson has climbed to seventh in the latest world rankings following his Welsh Open triumph.

Higginson, considered the most unlikely ranking event finalist in snooker history, missed out on the top prize but is up to No 40 having leapt 37 places in the last two tournaments.

The 29-year-old from Widnes also collected a £22,000 bonus for making a maximum 147 earlier in the event.

Veteran Steve Davis is up to 12th after a superb run to the semi-finals and now looks certain to achieve his goal of retaining his top 16 place when he turns 50 in August.

Malta’s Tony Drago did not take part in the Welsh Open finals, but the provisional ranking list, updated after last Sunday’s final, sees him in 60th place, one ahead of his former favourite Jimmy White.

Both will be fighting to remain in the Top 64 in the forthcoming world championship qualifiers, but White has a better chance to improve his position as he still is involved in the China Open next month. Drago had failed to qualify for the China Open this season.