Judd Trump scored the latest in a string of recent victories over John Higgins by winning 5-2 in their last 16 showdown at the Wuhan Open.
Defending champion Trump has now triumphed in 11 of his last 12 meetings with Higgins. However, that is a reversal from earlier in his career when Higgins had the upper hand. The Ace in the Pack only leads the head-to-head standings 18-14.
Clashes between the two include two world finals, which Higgins won in 2011 and Trump in 2019. Today's match didn't quite live up to those encounters in terms of standard, but the win for Trump sees him continue a streak of having made at least the quarter-finals of every ranking event he has entered in 2024. The 29-time ranking event winner now faces either Chris Wakelin or China's home hero Ding Junhui.
The opening two frames this afternoon were shared, before runs of 49 and 48 helped Trump to take the third. Further contributions of 74 and 56 then saw Trump to move a frame from victory at 4-1. Higgins rallied with a fine 126 to stay in contention, but there was to be no comeback with Trump claiming the seventh to get over the line and secure his 50th match win of the calendar year.
Trump said: "It was tough early on in my career against John. He was at his peak and I wasn't quite the player that I am now. It is turning a bit the other way and when you are in form and have a great record against someone, it definitely helps when you go out there. That little bit of extra self belief just helped me to get over the line.
"Games against Ding in China don't come around often so you have to enjoy that kind of match. It is a special atmosphere and one I really look forward to. Chris is also in great form and it is going to be a battle between them first."
Jack Lisowski produced a phenomenal display to blow away China's Wu Yize 5-0. The six-time ranking event finalist needed just one hour and 26 minutes to compile runs of 68, 81, 51, 65 and 117 on his way to victory. He now plays Long Zehuang, who beat Ben Woollaston 5-3. When asked about his prospects for the weekend ahead, Englishman Lisowski was confident but keen not to overplay talks of a maiden ranking title.
Lisowski said: "If you are asking me if I can win it, yeah if I play really well I have a chance. Just because you have played three or four good games you aren't entitled to do well. Everyone is really tough and you just have to keep plugging away. I could play garbage, but hopefully I'm here giving another cringe interview after winning!"
Shaun Murphy progressed after a thrilling 5-4 victory against Ali Carter. The high quality encounter saw both players trade blows with big breaks, before a crucial run of 68 in the last gave Murphy the win. He awaits the winner between Barry Hawkins and Xiao Guodong.