John Higgins defied odds to make Masters semi-final after 'criminal' fluke. The 50-year-old Scot became the oldest player in tournament history to reach the final four, beating world champion Zhao Xintong 6-5 in a thrilling match that will be remembered for years to come.
Higgins was left stunned as he came from behind to level the match at 5-5, thanks to an outrageous 'fluke' shot. The Scot potted a difficult red, which somehow landed on the black, resulting in Zhao's cue ball landing in the opposite pocket. This bizarre sequence of events sent the crowd into raptures and gave Higgins a second chance.
The Northern Irishman capitalized on the mistake, clearing the table from the final red to win the decider 58-55 and take the match 6-5. For Higgins, it was a moment of pure luck that brought him closer to securing his third Masters title.
"I was so lucky," Higgins said in the aftermath, acknowledging the magnitude of his good fortune. "It's tough out there – I'm delighted and so proud I'm still doing it." This remarkable comeback has sent shockwaves through the snooker world, with many pundits hailing Higgins as one of the greatest players of all time.
In a tournament that has already seen four six-frame matches, this thrilling encounter will be remembered for its unpredictability. The fact that Higgins and Zhao were only 5-3 down at the start of their match highlights the level of talent and skill on display.
Higgins' journey to the semi-finals next sees him face off against Judd Trump, a two-time Masters champion who has been struggling with form this season. Despite his recent struggles, Trump remains one of the best players in the world, making Higgins' task even more daunting.
Higgins was left stunned as he came from behind to level the match at 5-5, thanks to an outrageous 'fluke' shot. The Scot potted a difficult red, which somehow landed on the black, resulting in Zhao's cue ball landing in the opposite pocket. This bizarre sequence of events sent the crowd into raptures and gave Higgins a second chance.
The Northern Irishman capitalized on the mistake, clearing the table from the final red to win the decider 58-55 and take the match 6-5. For Higgins, it was a moment of pure luck that brought him closer to securing his third Masters title.
"I was so lucky," Higgins said in the aftermath, acknowledging the magnitude of his good fortune. "It's tough out there – I'm delighted and so proud I'm still doing it." This remarkable comeback has sent shockwaves through the snooker world, with many pundits hailing Higgins as one of the greatest players of all time.
In a tournament that has already seen four six-frame matches, this thrilling encounter will be remembered for its unpredictability. The fact that Higgins and Zhao were only 5-3 down at the start of their match highlights the level of talent and skill on display.
Higgins' journey to the semi-finals next sees him face off against Judd Trump, a two-time Masters champion who has been struggling with form this season. Despite his recent struggles, Trump remains one of the best players in the world, making Higgins' task even more daunting.
! I'm still on the edge of my seat thinking about that fluke shot 
. John Higgins is a total legend at this point, 50 years old and still bringing it to the Masters? That's pure mental 
. And now he's gotta face Judd Trump... that's like throwing an anchor into the deep end 
. Can't wait for the next match, though! 
. I mean, who needs skill when you've got a bit of luck on your side? 
It's like he waved his cue and said "hey world, I'm gonna win this thing!" 
. Bring on the semi-finals! 
! He must've been in shock 
and it's moments like those that remind me why snooker is so amazing 
.
. And now he gets to play Judd Trump in the semis 
. Can't wait to see how this tournament unfolds 
!
. But seriously, it was an incredible comeback and I'm so stoked for him! He's proof that age is just a number and if you've still got the skill, you can achieve greatness 
.
I'm not buying it... a "criminal" fluke shot that somehow lands on the black? 
50-year-old John Higgins making it to the Masters semi-final is impressive enough, no need for wild stories about fluke shots. Can we get some concrete evidence or expert opinions on this? 
).
what's up with this crazy comeback by John Higgins?! 
. i'm all about good vibes and positive energy, but even i was screaming at the screen like "come on, John!" 
. Still excited to see him take on Trump though, that's gonna be an interesting match 
.
the mental toughness of john higgins is seriously inspiring 
He's saying it was just 'luck', but honestly, I think that shot was more skill than luck 
He might be struggling with form, but if anyone can take Higgins down, it's him. They're like the snooker version of arch-nemesis or something 
He's still 50 and killing it in this tournament! 
. seriously though, this comeback is insane, he's on fire 
It's all about perspective and how we choose to look at things. Higgins didn't just rely on luck; he capitalized on an opportunity presented to him. We can all learn from his attitude, embracing both the good fortune and the lessons that come with it. And hey, even when things don't go our way, like Trump's struggles this season, we gotta keep pushing forward! 