John Higgins edges out Xiao Guodong in last-frame epic to reach Crucible quarter-finals
Higgins is into his 19th Crucible quarter-final (PA Images / Alamy Stock Photo)
John Higgins edged out Xiao Guodong in a marathon clash to set up a blockbuster World Championship quarter-final with Mark Williams.
The four-time Crucible king prevailed 13-12 after an epic showdown that lasted over 10 hours, and an enforced fourth session, to progress to his 19th quarter-final in Sheffield.
Higgins and Xiao were locked at 8-8 heading into the third session of their third meeting in as many events.
The first four frames were shared; the latter two going either way on the pink. However, Higgins took control after the mid-session interval with a break of 84, before runs of 24 and 41 put him 12-10 to the good.
The Scotsman appeared set to wrap up victory at 53-33 up in frame 23, only to miss a black off the spot. Xiao cleared to keep the contest alive, before the players were pulled off early.
When they resumed later on, Higgins had another opportunity to seal victory, but missed match-ball pink to the right centre. He then inadvertently knocked in the pink and left a free ball, enabling his opponent to clear from the final red and force a decider.
The world number three had prevailed from eight of his nine previous World Championship matches that had gone to a final frame.
And he continued that impressive record with a timely break of 75 finally getting him over the line.
“I had two good chances at 12-11, but that maybe settled me down,” he told WST. “I was thinking to myself that I’d had chances. The Snooker Gods were maybe beginning to go against me when I potted the pink.
“He’s such a tough player, Xiao. We were matching each other punch for punch. There was good stuff and long frames with good safety. I thoroughly enjoyed the game. It was great to be a part of it and I’m delighted to come out on the winning side.”
On his upcoming clash with Williams – a repeat of their epic 2018 final, which the Welshman won 18-16 – he added: “25 years ago, myself and Mark would have been big rivals. Now, we just walk into the practice room sometimes and give each other a nod, as if to say we are still doing alright.
“We are against all these great young talents coming through. We are still in there fighting with them. I think that is a great testament to us.
“Mark is an unbelievable champion. I just can’t wait. I’ll go out there and enjoy it. If I win then great, if I don’t, I’ll shake his hand and wish him well.”
Williams advanced to his 12th Crucible quarter-final after wrapping up a 13-10 victory over Hossein Vafaei.
The Welshman led 9-7 overnight and took the first frame of the final session on the pink after Vafaei missed the brown, but the Iranian pinched the next with a 70 clearance from 52-1 down.
Vafaei – targeting his first World Championship quarter-final – then won two of the next three frames, with breaks of 74 and 72 closing the gap to 11-10.
However, Williams was not to be denied, controlling the following frame before sealing victory with a 115.
Meanwhile, Ronnie O’Sullivan resumed his quest for a record-breaking eighth Crucible title by establishing a 6-2 lead over Pang Junxu.
The Rocket hit breaks of 91, 68, 63, 58 and 50 on the way to opening a four-frame advantage overnight.
Luca Brecel, who travelled to Sheffield from Belgium earlier on Saturday, raced into a 7-1 lead against a helpless Ding Junhui.
Ding – runner-up to Mark Selby in 2016 – opened with a stunning 141 total clearance; the highest break he has compiled at The Crucible.
Yet, the Dragon scored just 15 points thereon, as 2023 champion roared back with breaks of 121, 78, 55, 100, 88 and 88 to take full command of the tie.
There were better fortunes for Ding’s compatriot Zhao Xintong, who moved within three frames of his first Crucible quarter-final after opening a 10-6 advantage over Lei Peifan, while Si Jiahui is 5-3 to the good against Mark Selby’s conqueror in Ben Woollaston.
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World Snooker Championship 2025 Day Eight Scores/Results
*Indicates final session
Saturday April 26
Second Round
Lei Peifan 6-10 Zhao Xintong
John Higgins 13-12 Xiao Guodong*
Hossein Vafaei 10-13 Mark Williams*
Ronnie O’Sullivan 6-2 Pang Junxu
Si Jiahui 5-3 Ben Woollaston
Luca Brecel 7-1 Ding Junhui