Scotland’s four-time Crucible king John Higgins beat China’s Xiao Guodong 13-12 in a ten-hour marathon to set up a quarter-final showdown with Mark Williams at the Halo World Championship.
Higgins and Xiao were pulled off this morning, with the Glaswegian leading 12-11. Higgins was left to mull over a crucial missed black off the spot, which allowed Xiao to take the 23rd frame and force further play this evening.
When they returned, it was 49-year-old Higgins who again appeared to be heading for the finish line. However, he spurned a match ball pink.
That came back to haunt him, when he later inadvertently fouled the pink by potting it in the middle and left the balls at Xiao’s mercy. This season’s Wuhan Open champion obliged, clearing with 39 to steal on the black.
Higgins was again in with the first chance in the final frame. He broke down on 44, but got back to the table and made 75 to get himself over the line.
He’s now won nine out of ten deciders at the Crucible and is through to the quarter-finals for the 19th time in his 31 appearances at the Theatre of Dreams.
Higgins and Williams have met 42 times in their illustrious careers. It’s 33-time ranking event winner Higgins who leads the head-to-head 22-20. However, Williams has won four of their five meetings at the Crucible, including an epic 18-16 triumph in the 2018 final.
“I had two good chances at 12-11, but that maybe settled me down. I was thinking to myself that I’d had chances. The Snooker Gods were maybe beginning to go against me when I potted the pink,” said a relieved Higgins.
“He’s such a tough player, Xiao. We were matching each other punch for punch. There was good stuff and long frames with good safety. I thoroughly enjoyed the game. It was great to be a part of it and I’m delighted to come out on the winning side.
“25 years ago myself and Mark would have been big rivals. Now we just walk into the practice room sometimes and give each other a nod, as if to say we are still doing alright. We are against all these great young talents coming through. We are still in there fighting with them. I think that is a great testament to us.
“Mark is an unbelievable champion. I just can’t wait. I’ll go out there and enjoy it. If I win then great, if I don’t I’ll shake his hand and wish him well.”