Photo source: Getty Images. ByMike Peter. Un journaliste sportif pour la BBC. Nine hours earlier. John Higgins endured the most crushing loss of his 34-year career, falling 10-193 to Zhao Xintong in the Tour Championship semi-finals in Manchester. The defending champion was overwhelmed by China’s Zhao, who compiled 11 breaks over 50, including a century. The four-time world champion managed to claim one frame—the 10th—as Zhao neared victory, preventing a total shutout. However, Higgins’ relief was short-lived, as the reigning world champion sealed the win in the next frame with an 85 break and now advances to Sunday’s final against world number one Judd Trump. The 50-year-old had previously lost by nine frames twice—13-4 to Stephen Hendry in the 2012 World Championship and 18-9 to Judd Trump in the 2019 Crucible final—but this marked his worst defeat ever in a best-of-19 match. “I played well and I’m very happy to reach the final,” said Zhao. “My cueing was very good.” I avoided overthinking it—I simply savored the table and focused on the balls. “This season I’ve reached four finals, and I’m relishing every second while working to improve. Playing Judd in a final for the first time will be a huge milestone for me.” It will be extremely difficult. The 29-year-old has reached his sixth ranking final after winning his previous five—a record matched only by Steve Davis, Mark Williams, and Neil Robertson. Zhao aims to be the first to claim all three Players Series titles in a single season, following victories in the World Grand Prix and Players Championship in February. He is assured of climbing to a career-best fourth in the world rankings no matter the outcome of Sunday’s final, his first encounter with Trump at this tournament stage. Related topics. Snooker
