John Higgins has secured a commanding 6-1 victory over Neil Robertson at the Players Championship, propelling him into the quarter-finals and unveiling an astonishing statistic from his legendary career. The Scottish snooker maestro, known as the Wizard of Wishaw, delivered impressive breaks of 133, 84, and 70 during the match, showcasing his dominance while Robertson struggled with form, reportedly due to a tip issue.
Historic Achievement in Snooker
This quarter-final appearance marks Higgins' 155th in ranking events, a monumental feat since he turned professional in 1992. To put this into perspective, there have only been 456 ranking events in snooker history, with the first being the 1974 World Championship, played a year before Higgins was born. This means Higgins has reached at least the quarter-finals in more than a third of all ranking tournaments ever held, specifically 33.99 percent.
Personal and Professional Milestones
Higgins has participated in 339 ranking events himself, making his quarter-final rate an impressive 45.72 percent of the tournaments he has entered. No other player has matched this number of quarter-final appearances, and at 50 years old, Higgins continues to excel, currently ranked number five in the world. His entry into the 16-man event was facilitated by Ronnie O'Sullivan's decision not to compete, and Higgins is determined to capitalize on this opportunity.
After the match, Higgins expressed his satisfaction, stating on Channel 5, "Really enjoyed it, I've not beaten Neil the last few times we've played. He played below par, not the way he normally plays, but I was happy with the way I played." He added in a post-match press conference, "I try to take the positives from beating guys like [Mark] Selby at the Tour Championship, Judd [Trump] at the Masters, and then Neil, because they're three guys that are holding such high regard in the game."
Technical Adjustments and Future Plans
Known for his meticulous approach to equipment, Higgins made several tweaks ahead of the tournament, including reducing his cue diameter from 30mm to 29mm and adjusting his grip for more power. "I'm trying something as well, I'm normally really on the cue, I'm trying to be not as strong on the cue, it's giving me more power. If you're too rigid you can't get through the white, I'm trying something else and it seems to be working," he explained.
Looking ahead, Higgins aims for his 34th ranking title this week while also embracing a new role in punditry and commentary for Channel 5's coverage of the Players Championship. "I look forward to it," he said. "I'm getting older in the game, it's something new, I'll try it. I'm only practicing an hour a day anyway to keep my eye in. Looking at four walls, that's the hardest part at these events, it's using your time wisely. I'll enjoy it." He will commentate on Wednesday before returning to play on Thursday against either Chris Wakelin or Xiao Guodong.
Other Tournament Highlights
In other matches from the opening afternoon of the Players Championship, Mark Allen defeated Wu Yize 6-3, setting up a quarter-final clash with either Mark Selby or Jack Lisowski on Friday night. This adds to the competitive atmosphere of the event, highlighting the depth of talent in professional snooker.
Higgins' career continues to inspire, blending sustained excellence with adaptability, as he remains a formidable force on the table and expands his influence through media roles. His journey underscores the dedication and skill required to achieve such historic milestones in the sport.
