Perhaps the expectations were more accurately placed this year. Ken Doherty emerged from the Crucible drained as much as disappointed after handing over the world title crown to 22-year-old John Higgins last night. As ever, the former world champion was both dignified and gracious in defeat.

"To be honest he played superbly. He got off from the first session and played well, knocking in the breaks and punishing me. I tried to stick in there and win some of the games.

He identified the first frames of the final session as crucially important.

"At 13-11 I thought I had a really good chance and had hoped to get a good start. The first couple of frames were crucial. I was unlucky with the white ball going in off the brown. I didn't mean to hit the brown that hard. I might have had a chance but I was not really up there. In fact, playing the way I was I think it was a good achievement to get to the final.

"It's a bit disappointing but he played really well over the two days. He deserved it in the end. The only player who played that well against me is Stephen Hendry with seven hundreds in 10 frames. He (John) is hard to beat when he's on top form."

Pointing to the general high level of play that now exists in the game, Doherty sees an era now where no one will be able to dominate as completely as Davis and Hendry did in their hey day.

"It will be hard for him (Higgins) to become a dominant force because the standard is getting higher and higher. It's hard for someone to dominate the way Steve Davis did but he (Higgins) had a fantastic year. He's won so many tournaments. He's very tough to beat and has a great all-round game as well as a great temperament.

"Every time I was getting close, he was able to shake me off."

But there was also place for a little humour as Doherty kept a brave face.

"At least I didn't cry when I won it," he said referring to the new champion who burst into tears as he embraced his mother and father in the audience. "But I'm a few years older than him so I suppose that makes sense."

"There were a lot of key frames in the first session that I lost, ones I should have won. It's been a wonderful year for me, the best year and I hope John has half as good a year as I've had. If he does he'll have a great time.

"It's going to be sad giving back the cup because I'm not going to be seeing it on the top of my mam's telly. My dream came true and I suppose its come true for him this year. I couldn't lose to a nicer and a better player."

Higgins paid tribute to his mentor, Stephen Hendry, from whom he took over the world number one spot thanks to this victory. Hendry had held the position for eight years.

"I've taken the number one spot off a great champion in Stephen, probably the greatest player who's ever played the game," said Higgins.

"He's probably the main reason I've done so well, because I was practising with him for a few years at the same club. Even when I was getting whacked 19-1 and 19-2, I knew it was doing me the world of good, and evidently it has.

"I'm sure Stephen, Ken and people like that will all be gunning for me next year - but hopefully I can stay at the top for a couple of years."

Higgins was always confident of winning the title, but admitted it was a bonus when Hendry got knocked out by Jimmy White in the first round.