Higgins deserved victory - Cope

Cope was edged out 13-12 by John Higgins in the second round

Jamie Cope was full of praise for his World Championship conqueror John Higgins, after the Scot won his third world title at the Crucible on Monday.

Cope, who was beaten 13-12 by Higgins in the second round in Sheffield, told BBC Radio Stoke: "It makes me feel a bit better and I'm glad he did win it.

"He definitely played the best snooker of anyone over the two weeks.

"He's had to battle his way through some tough matches and I think he did deserve it in the end."

Cope received huge praise for his performances at the Crucible, defeating Joe Perry in the first round and losing narrowly to Higgins, in what was only his second appearance on snooker's biggest stage.

The 23-year-old from Stoke-on-Trent said: "It was great to beat Joe, and I think John played the best he did in the whole tournament against me.

"It was good to be 12-10 up, and just missing out was unfortunate, but I'll be back trying to win it again.

"I felt I played quite well in both my matches there. I'm confident of doing well next season, because it always nice to show you can do it on the big stage."

Cope's second-round exit was not enough to put him into the top 16 of the world rankings for next season.

He will be ranked 18th for 2009/10 - one place above fellow Stoke player Dave Harold.

"It would have been nice (to be in the top 16), but I didn't have a very good start to the season," added Cope. "It just shows how little I've got to do to get into that top 16."