Higgins stormed towards a second world title with a host of big breaks

Both players were visibly tired, but Selby settled early with a 116 break.

However, that only served to inspire Higgins and runs of 97, 75, 70 and 100 helped the "Wizard of Wishaw" take seven straight frames as Selby wilted.

The 23-year-old pulled one back in frame 13, but Higgins pulled away again with a 106 to take complete control.

606: DEBATE Selby needs to win the first four frames this afternoon to register some self doubt in the mind of Higgins SR

It ensures Selby will have to create Championship history to win his first world crown this year as no player has ever come back from a 12-4 overnight deficit in the final at The Crucible.

The biggest overnight deficit overturned to lift the title is 10-6 - by Mark Williams (2000) and Shaun Murphy (2005) - both at the expense of Matthew Stevens.

The last time a player was 12-4 down going into the second day was Jimmy White in 1993, and he eventually lost 18-5 to Stephen Hendry.

That match finished with a session to spare and there is a danger of the same scenario on Monday, unless Selby wins three of the eight frames in the afternoon session.

Selby's game collapsed in the second session

It had started well enough for the "Jester from Leicester", as his 116 break in frame five helped him into a 3-2 lead following a scrappy opening four frames.

However, Higgins responded by completely destroying the youngster's game and confidence.

A break of 97 in frame six ensured Selby was unable to gain any momentum from his earlier century break and, having edged into a two-frame lead ahead of the second session, Higgins then proceeded to blow the 23-year-old away.

The Scot barely missed a pot for three frames with runs of 75, 70 and 100, and even when he did, luck played its part as he built a huge lead.

Selby had his chances in frame 11, when he suffered a huge kick on the blue, and 12, when Higgins fluked a red to spark a frame-winning break, but even after pulling one back with a tenacious effort in frame 13, Higgins responded.

And when Selby fought back from 63 points down in frame 15 only to lose it on the pink, Higgins ruthlessly rubbed salt into the wound with a century break in the final frame to leave him just six frames away from a second world title.