John Higgins produced a classic fightback to defeat world champion Zhao Xintong on the black in a final-frame decider and attain the semi-finals of the Masters.
It was a exceptional conclusion to an exciting contest at Alexandra Palace, with two-time winner Higgins, who gave the impression to be down and out when he trailed 5-3, recieving an enormous ovation after wrapping up a 6-5 triumph.
In a high-quality encounter China’s Zhao constructed breaks of 89 and 74, whereas Higgins responded with an excellent 114 and run of 64 because the gamers traded the primary six frames.
Zhao, who was aiming to finish snooker’s Triple Crown, capitalised and opened up a 5-3 lead when Higgins went in-off after potting a pink to the center within the seventh body after which missed an important black within the eighth body.
Nonetheless, Higgins, who’s making a record-extending thirty second consecutive look on the Masters, rallied and benefited from some success to get again to 5-4 after which power an eleventh body.
In a see-saw finale the 50-year-old Scot, who final gained the invitational event in 2006, cleared the colors after Zhao broke down on 53 and missed a troublesome pink to the top-right nook.
Higgins will now face both Northern Eire’s Mark Allen or world primary Judd Trump within the final 4 on Saturday (13:00 GMT).
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