In a match that kept snooker fans on the edge of their seats, Scotland's John Higgins delivered a breathtaking performance at the World Snooker Championship in Sheffield, England. In a nail-biting 25-frame battle at the Crucible Theatre, Higgins narrowly defeated Xiao Guodong from the Chinese mainland 13-12 to advance to the quarterfinals.
The contest was a rollercoaster from the start, with both players trading the lead and never pulling away by more than one frame during the initial sessions. At one point, Xiao seized a crucial 9-8 advantage after potting a difficult red that sparked a frame-winning break of 76. However, the resilient Higgins quickly leveled the score, then edged ahead 10-9 with a stylish long yellow shot.
The suspense continued as Higgins pulled off a lovely long plant in the following frame, only for Xiao to fight back and tie the match at 10-10. With nerves of steel, Higgins claimed the next frame—marked by a brilliant red and a break of 41—to move one frame away from victory at 12-10. Despite Xiao managing to claw one frame back, Higgins ultimately clinched the match 13-12.
Now, the stage is set for a mouthwatering quarterfinal showdown against fellow class of '92 alumnus and three-time world champion Mark Williams, who emerged victorious in a separate round of 16 clash. Get ready for more high-stakes snooker action! 🎱🔥
Reference(s):
Higgins edges China's Xiao in 25 frames at World Snooker Championship
cgtn.com
