John Higgins stages remarkable comeback to defeat Zhao Xintong
John Higgins completed a stunning revival, overcoming world champion Zhao Xintong 6-5 after trailing 5-3 in a quarter-final showdown at Alexandra Palace, reports BritPanorama.
At 50 years old, the Scottish player is competing at the Masters for an unprecedented 32nd consecutive time. His resilience shone through as he held his nerve in the decisive frame, securing his spot in the semi-finals.
The match deviated from the trend seen in previous rounds, marking the first contest of this year’s tournament not to conclude with a 6-2 outcome, a pattern previously established over eight opening matches. With Zhao faltering at 53 points and failing to convert a challenging shot, Higgins seized the moment to clear the table and clinch victory.
An extraordinary twist came when Higgins, attempting a plant shot, experienced a fortunate fluke that left spectators astonished. A red ball veered into an unintended pocket, enabling him to level the match at 5-5 and force a final frame.
“I was so lucky,” Higgins acknowledged in a post-match interview. The four-time world champion then built a break of 58 to finish the decider. This victory is particularly significant for Higgins, who is aiming for a third Masters title, last achieved in 2006.
Reflecting on the intensity of the match, Higgins commented, “It’s tough out there. I’m delighted and so proud I’m still doing it.” His journey this far has been marked by trials; twelve months ago, he faced a heartbreaking loss to Neil Robertson at the same venue, making this triumph feel especially rewarding.
Higgins’s next challenge will come against either world number one Judd Trump or Northern Ireland’s Mark Allen in Saturday’s semi-final, with that match happening later this evening. In the unpredictable realm of snooker, Higgins’s determined performance underscores how fortunes can shift in an instant, leaving fans eagerly anticipating what he will deliver next.
