In a nail-biting finish at the World Snooker Championship in Sheffield, Scotland’s John Higgins edged out China’s Xiao Guodong 13-12, securing his place in the quarterfinals at the Crucible Theatre.
The match was a thrilling spectacle, with both players displaying exceptional skill over three intense sessions. The score remained tight, as neither Higgins nor Xiao managed to lead by more than a single frame during the first two sessions.
Xiao took a pivotal lead at 9-8 after potting a challenging red, initiating a frame-winning break of 76. However, the four-time world champion Higgins swiftly leveled the match and regained the advantage at 10-9 with a remarkable long yellow.
Nicknamed the “Wizard of Wishaw,” Higgins showcased his expertise with a superb long plant in the following frame. Yet, Xiao demonstrated resilience, fighting back to tie the game once more at 10-10.
Higgins then seized the next frame and executed a brilliant red leading to a break of 41, moving within one frame of victory at 12-10. Xiao refused to concede, capitalizing on an opportunity to close the gap to 12-11.
In a dramatic conclusion, Higgins held his nerve to clinch the final frame, winning the match 13-12. He now advances to a highly anticipated quarterfinal clash with three-time world champion Mark Williams, who overcame Hossein Vafaei in another exciting round of 16 match.
