John Higgins sets up Masters quarter-final clash with Zhao Xintong

John Higgins ended his losing streak at the Masters, as he booked his quarter-final place with a 6-2 win over Barry Hawkins.

The two-time champion, who is making a record-extending 32nd successive appearance in snooker’s most prestigious invitational event, progressed to the last eight for a 16th time, where Crucible king Zhao Xintong awaits.

Higgins had suffered three straight first-round exits at Alexandra Palace, including a 6-5 defeat from 5-1 up against Neil Robertson 12 months ago.

However, the Wizard stopped the rot on Tuesday, aided by six breaks of over 50 and a superb display of long potting.

“I was delighted with the way I hit the ball tonight,” he said. “I felt good within myself. Barry didn’t play as well as he can, but I’m delighted to beat someone as good as him.

“I’m trying to be more relaxed at tournaments. It’s just difficult to put the practice in nowadays, and there are going to be matches when we really struggle. But there’s going to be matches when if we play well, we’re still more than a handful for the best players.”

Higgins lost the first frame as two-time finalist Hawkins opened with a break of 58, but he won the next three with runs of 50, 71 and 53 along the way.

The Hawk stopped the rot with 64, though another three-frame burst – helped by contributions of 99, 58 and 61 – sealed the Scotsman’s passage into the quarter-finals.

❌❌❌☑️

The Wizard ends his run of 3️⃣ straight first-round exits at Ally Pally 👏 #TheMasters pic.twitter.com/BLncqDW28J

— Live Snooker (@Livesnooker) January 13, 2026

There, he will be joined by Kyren Wilson, after the two-time finalist defeated Si Jiahui by the same scoreline earlier in the day.

The Warrior, who was runner-up to Shaun Murphy 12 months ago, won a scrappy opening frame and had a chance of making a maximum in the second, but broke down on 80 while stretching for the 11th red.

Si responded with a break of 97 in frame three, aided by a fluked opening red and stunning long blue, but the Chinese missed the chance to overturn a 60-31 deficit in the fourth after rattling a tricky final red.

The former Crucible semi-finalist moved within a frame once again at 3-2, but after a run of 59, back-to-back centuries of 101 and 105 sealed a statement victory for Wilson, who produced a confident display with his new cue.

“I’ve managed to get a cue that I’m really happy with,” he said. “I was so excited to come here and I’m just happy I was able to deliver.

“This venue can absolutely bring the best out of you. Over the years, it’s certainly done that. I’ve still got a long time in the game, so hopefully, I’m going to be coming to this venue for many years to come.

“It sounds silly, but the cue is so important. When you go out there and you can’t trust what you’re using, you’ve got no chance. I finally trust what I’m using.”

🥈 2018
🥈 2025
❓ 2026#TheMasters pic.twitter.com/6A9vOsZOzQ

— Live Snooker (@Livesnooker) January 13, 2026

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Masters Snooker 2026 Day Three Results

Tuesday January 13

Round One

Kyren Wilson 6-2 Si Jiahui
John Higgins 6-2 Barry Hawkins