World Grand Prix - Day Three

Man of the moment John Higgins kept his hot streak going with a 4-2 win over World Champion Kyren Wilson in the second round of the World Grand Prix, and will now set a new record for the most ever ranking event quarter-finals appearances. 

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Higgins described his triumph at last week's Weide Cup World Open as a "big monkey off my back' as it was his first ranking title for four years. The 49-year-old has carried his momentum into this week's event in Hong Kong, knocking out Ali Carter before today's success in a tremendous match against Wilson. 

Crucible king Wilson opened with a run of 131 then Higgins responded with a 143, the new target for the £10,000 high break prize. Wilson regained the lead with a 72 but failed to score a point in the last three frames as Higgins rattled in 74, 92 and 100. On Friday the Scot will face Shaun Murphy or Barry Hawkins in the 147th ranking quarter-final of his 33-year career, putting him ahead of Ronnie O'Sullivan's tally of 146.

"It's a good record and a nice number to get to," said world number eight Higgins. "I needed to play well today to beat Kyren because he's beginning to have an aura around the table. He reminds me of a young John Parrott, he hits the ball which such authority and really believes he is going to pot everything. That's daunting to play against so you know you have to be at your best. 

"I felt great today, there's no pressure. Winning last week was a big monkey off my back because I'd lost in some heart-breaking finals. I have proved to myself I can still do it at this age. 

"There were some dark times. Drives home and flights home, talking to yourself asking 'do I really need to do this? Do I need to put myself through it?' But the competitive nature within me had got me to a certain level, and that wouldn't allow me to back down and drift away neatly. That's what kept me driving on, to taste the feeling of winning again."

Stuart Bingham reached his first quarter-final of the season with a 4-2 win over Wu Yize. China's Wu made a fast start with 129 and 120 to go 2-0 up, but former World and Masters champion Bingham stormed back to take four frames in a row with top runs of 80 and 108. 

Bingham must reach the final this week to climb into the top 16 of the Johnstone's Paint One-Year Rankings and qualify for the Sportsbet.io Players Championship. "That's my goal and if I play like I did today I've got a chance," said the Essex cueman ahead of tomorrow's meeting with Mark Selby or Jimmy Robertson. 

Neil Robertson battled to a 4-1 success against David Gilbert with a top break of 78. He now meets Xiao Guodong or Lei Peifan.