John Higgins has advanced to the World Snooker Championship semi-finals, partially redeeming the 'heartbreaking' quarter-final defeat he suffered a year ago. The Scottish veteran, known as the Wizard of Wishaw, secured a 13-10 victory over Neil Robertson on Wednesday evening at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield. This triumph follows his earlier wins against Ronnie O'Sullivan and Ali Carter.
A Semi-Final Showdown with Shaun Murphy
Higgins will now face Shaun Murphy in the last four. Murphy, the Magician, booked his place by defeating defending champion Zhao Xintong earlier on Wednesday. This semi-final run comes 12 months after Higgins narrowly missed out on the one-table setup, losing a dramatic deciding frame to his old rival Mark Williams. The Welshman edged Higgins 13-12 on the final black in the 2025 quarter-finals, a defeat that the four-time world champion admits was particularly painful.
'It is a great achievement to get back to the one-table setup, especially after being so close last year against Mark,' Higgins told the BBC. 'It was heartbreaking in a way, watching it on TV because you would love to get back there one more time. I am managing to do it, and it will be an amazing feeling to step out there in the Crucible with just me and Shaun. It will be incredible.'
Resilience from Behind
Throughout his three matches so far, Higgins has consistently trailed at some point, most notably when he was 9-4 down against O'Sullivan before rallying to win 13-12. The Scot believes that constantly fighting from behind gives him confidence rather than causing panic. 'It is always going home with a deficit!' Higgins said. 'It is amazing. My wife Denise is with me, and I keep telling her I am always behind. That gives you the belief that you can come out and do it. If you are in front and then fall behind, maybe in some matches you think you cannot come back. But I am always behind, so I always feel I have a chance.'
A Gritty Contest
The match between Higgins and Robertson was closely contested throughout, with lengthy frames as neither player gave an inch. Centuries were rare, with Robertson failing to make any and Higgins compiling just one, a 126 in the 12th frame. The first six frames were shared in Tuesday afternoon's opening session, with Robertson winning two tight frames to lead 5-3. The evening session was delayed due to the prolonged nature of play.
Higgins found some rhythm in the second session, losing the opening frame but then crafting breaks of 51, 86, and his solitary century to level at 6-6. Momentum swung as Robertson took the next three frames, but Higgins responded with three frames of his own, featuring half-century breaks. Robertson made a 73 to regain the lead, but Higgins then ground out three consecutive frames to move one from victory. A lengthy final frame saw chances for both players, but Higgins secured his fourth straight frame and the match 13-10.
Looking Ahead
Higgins' victory sets up a tantalizing semi-final encounter with Shaun Murphy, as both players seek to claim the world title. For Higgins, this run represents a chance to add to his four world championships and erase the painful memories of last year's quarter-final defeat.
