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Higgins sneaks past Zhao in Masters epic as Trump topples Allen

Jonathan Davies in The Masters

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Higgins celebrates his dramatic victory (Credit: PA Images)

John Higgins beat Zhao Xintong 6-5 on the black in a thrilling Masters quarter-final to set up a last-four clash with Judd Trump.

The Wizard progressed to the semi-finals of snooker’s most prestigious invitational event for the 10th time, after recovering from 5-3 down to deny the reigning World champion at Alexandra Palace.

Zhao, who was looking to remain on course to win a career Triple Crown, opened with runs of 40 and 89 during a dominant opening frame, though Higgins replied with 114.

The next four frames were also shared, as the Scotsman came from behind on a further two occasions to level at 3-3.

After Zhao regained his lead, Higgins had the chance to square things up again, but missed a tricky black off the spot from the final red, allowing his opponent to clear to the pink and move two frames clear for the first time.

The two-time champion controlled the ninth frame to stay alive, while a timely fluke in the next paved the way for a run of 58 that forced a decider.

Higgins had the first opportunity of the final frame, but broke down on 34 after overcutting a red to the right corner.

Zhao responded with 53 and, after initially playing safe, was left with a tempting final red near the side rail.

However, the World champion could only rattle it, and the 50-year-old produced a trademark 31 clearance to snatch frame and match on the black, and become the oldest Masters semi-finalist since Eddie Charlton in 1983.

“It’s an incredible feeling,” he said. “I was really lucky from 5-3 to 5-5, because I missed a few balls and got away with it. That’s the reason I am still standing here.

“At my age, I appreciate wins like this a lot more. Even when I missed the black and went 5-3 behind, normally I would be devastated. But this time, I was looking around and thinking this is an incredible arena, and I just told myself not to give up.”

Later in the day, fellow two-time champion Trump ensured he would be Higgins’ semi-final opponent, following a 6-2 victory over Mark Allen.

The Pistol, who lifted the Paul Hunter trophy in 2018, produced a superb 69 clearance from 54-0 down to snatch the opening frame on the pink.

Trump levelled before winning a 48-minute-long third frame on the black, having won a lengthy tactical battle on the blue.

Allen responded with 76 to square things up and looked good for a 3-2 lead in frame five, before missing a routine red on 68.

The world number one pounced by clearing with 50 to pinch it on the black. It proved the turning point in the contest, as he subsequently controlled the last three frames – aided by runs of 70, 49 and 68 – to seal his place in an eighth Masters semi-final.

“I’m so pleased to be in another semi-final. It’s an amazing tournament,” he said.

“I’ve always struggled against Mark. Against the rest of the top of 16, I play really well, but there’s something about Mark. He drags me down for some reason.

“I knew it was one of those games where every shot was a pint of blood. I didn’t feel confident, but I just tried to will the balls in.”

Allen added: “I was disappointed to be two-all at the interval, I felt like I played the better snooker in the first four frames, and should have been 3-1 up.

“I missed the red [in frame five] and that changed everything. He looked all at sea with his positional play early on in the match, but when he made that clearance, that settled him and he played much better as the match went on.”

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Masters Snooker 2026 Results

Thursday January 15

Quarter-Finals

John Higgins 6-5 Zhao Xintong
Judd Trump 6-2 Mark Allen