Higgins wins decider against Zhao to reach semi-finals

John Higgins produced a vintage fightback to defeat world champion Zhao Xintong on the black in a final-frame decider as he reached the semi-finals of the Masters.

It was a remarkable conclusion to a thrilling contest at Alexandra Palace, with two-time winner Higgins, who appeared to be down and out when he trailed 5-3, receiving a huge ovation after wrapping up a 6-5 triumph.

“I was so lucky, in the second-to-last frame I tried a plant and butchered it and fluked a ball. It was fate maybe,” Higgins told BBC Sport.

“I stayed down a little bit extra on the final black to make sure I could not miss it.”

In a high-quality encounter China’s Zhao constructed breaks of 89 and 74, while Higgins responded with a superb 114 and run of 64 as the players traded the first six frames.

Zhao, who was aiming to complete snooker’s Triple Crown, capitalised and opened up a 5-3 lead when Higgins went in-off after potting a red to the middle in the seventh frame and then missed a crucial black in the eighth frame.

However, Higgins, who is making a record-extending 32nd consecutive appearance at the Masters, rallied and benefited from some good fortune to get back to 5-4 and then force an 11th frame.

In a see-saw finale the 50-year-old Scot, who last won the invitational tournament in 2006, cleared the colours after Zhao broke down on 53 and missed a tough red to the top-right corner.

Currently ranked fifth in the world, Higgins remains one of snooker’s biggest draws and was willed on throughout as he reached the semi-finals for the first time since 2021.

He was given a rapturous reception when he emerged to the sound of The Stone Roses’ iconic track ‘I Am the Resurrection’ and he left the arena to even bigger roars.

While he was not at his absolute best and toiled positionally at times in the closing frames, his ability to turn things around against Zhao was testimony to his granite match-play.

His more relaxed demeanour perhaps also helped, with his Wednesday spent far from a practice table as he instead elected to watch a musical with his wife Denise in London’s West End.

“I did not pick up my cue yesterday and we went for a nice dinner. Sometimes it is good to just get away and relax and see where it takes you,” Higgins added.

“I am delighted and I am so proud I am still doing it. So proud I am through to another semi-final here and I will enjoy it.”