Higgins In Charge

John Higgins has taken full control of his semi-final clash with Barry Hawkins at the Betfred World Championship, establishing a 10-6 lead.

Yesterday evening the four-time World Champion secured a 5-3 advantage. However, the Hawk emerged the happier of the two after clawing his way back into contention from 4-0 down. This afternoon it was Higgins, who is competing in his eighth Crucible semi-final, who seized the initiative. Hawkins is appearing in the semi-finals for the fourth time but to date has only reached the final once. He has it all to do if he is to improve on that record.

Hawkins claimed the opening frame of the afternoon, but the Scot reasserted himself upon proceedings by taking the next two, including a run of 51 to lead 7-4.  The World Grand Prix champion ensured he was in touch at the mid-session thanks to a sublime break of 115.

They traded frames before Higgins stepped in with a contribution of 89 to go 9-6 up. The Scot looked to be over the line in the last frame when Hawkins needed a snooker on the green. He got it, but was dealt a hammer blow after Higgins fluked a cross double to the top corner. The pair will resume tomorrow morning at 10am.