YAN BINGTAO was crowned the youngest Masters champion since Ronnie O’Sullivan in 1995 after sinking John Higgins 10-8 in Milton Keynes.

The 20-year-old Chinese star rose to the occasion to see off the Scot, 25 years his senior, and claim the title in his debut appearance in the top-16-only tournament.

It was a remarkably composed display from Yan, the world number 11, who twice hit back from two frames behind before seeing off the vastly experienced former two-time winner.

Speaking through a translator, Yan said: “It is how I look all the time — you can’t tell how nervous I am but my heart is really beating out.

“On the last red in the final frame I was so close to the winning line but he still stayed on the table fighting, and that is the most pressured moment I felt.”

Higgins will rue a series of costly errors at crucial moments, but it was Yan, who had come through three straight final-frame deciders to reach the final, who stepped up again when it counted.

From 8-8, Yan produced a superb 70 to move within one of his first major title, then shrugged off the prospect of yet another decider after repelling Higgins’s game attempt to claim three improbable snookers he required.

Yan is only the second player from China to win the tournament, after the 2011 winner Ding Junhui.

Higgins hailed the champion, telling the BBC: “He was fantastic — he’s got such an incredible all-round game.

“I had my chances and I’m sick because I should have gone 6-3 in front and I was in control to go 8-5 in front.

“I’m gutted, but every credit to him — it is a brilliant achievement winning it at such a young age.”