Higgins pots Euro-Asia title

Higgins, 32, launched his comeback with an 80 break in the seventh frame, won the next on the colours and comfortably clinched the decider to pocket the £25,000 top prize.

The world number one, who lost his passport on a promotional tour last week, had performed poorly in the Europe v Asia team event but found his stride when the individual competition got underway.

"I didn't start the week too well and I think that was down to the jet lag and all the hassle after losing my passport but I came good when it mattered," Higgins said.

"The standard here was very good and James played really well through the event. He probably could have been 4-0 up at one start so he'll be disappointed."

The final was played in front of more than 3,000 spectators at the Queen Elizabeth Hall.

Wattana, Thailand's leading player for the last two decades, compiled breaks of 74, 40 and 86 in building a 3-1 lead, although Higgins pinched the second frame after Wattana missed the pink.

Higgins fashioned a run of 127 to win the fifth and although Wattana took the sixth the former world no.3 could not close out victory.

Higgins is top seed for the first ranking event of the season, the Shanghai Masters, which starts on August 6.