John Higgins Stuns Judd Trump To Reach Masters Final

The atmosphere at Alexandra Palace has reached fever pitch as the 2026 Masters Snooker tournament barrels toward its dramatic conclusion. Over the past week, the world’s top 16 cueists have battled it out for the coveted Paul Hunter Trophy, and the action has been nothing short of electrifying. With the semi-finals now complete and the final looming, fans have been treated to upsets, comebacks, and some of the most finely poised snooker seen in years.

It all began on Sunday, January 11, 2026, when the Masters kicked off its 52nd edition at the iconic London venue. The tournament, renowned for its exclusivity, only invites the top 16 players in the world rankings as of December’s UK Championship. This year’s field, as always, was stacked with talent—reigning champion Shaun Murphy entered as the number one seed, with World Champion Zhao Xintong seeded second. However, even before the first ball was struck, the draw was shaken by the withdrawal of snooker legend Ronnie O’Sullivan, replaced at the last minute by Chris Wakelin.

From the outset, the competition was fierce. Wu Yize, the rising Chinese star, stunned everyone by toppling defending champion Shaun Murphy in the opening round. That win set Wu on a path straight to the semi-finals, igniting hopes of a maiden Triple Crown title for the young contender. Meanwhile, betting sites quickly shifted their odds, with Judd Trump emerging as the outright favourite to lift the trophy. Trump, the world number one and 2023 champion, was expected to breeze through, but snooker is never that simple.

The semi-finals, played on Saturday, January 17, delivered all the drama fans could hope for. In the afternoon session, Judd Trump faced off against the ever-resilient John Higgins. The Scot, who had lost his previous seven encounters with Trump, looked to be in deep trouble early on. Trump surged to a 3-0 lead, capitalizing on a string of Higgins’ errors. At 5-3 up, Trump seemed destined for another final. But snooker, as everyone knows, is a game of momentum—and Higgins wasn’t about to roll over.

“He should maybe have been 4-0 in front and I maybe made it too easy for him,” Higgins told BBC Sport after the match. “The fourth frame was massive because if he goes 4-0 it’s done, but at 3-1 I felt good.” Those words proved prophetic. Higgins clawed back into the contest with a superb 104 break in the fifth frame, then added further breaks of 57, 70, and 57 as he reeled off three tense frames in a row. Trump, usually so clinical, missed a routine brown with just four balls left in the ninth frame, giving Higgins the lifeline he needed.

With the crowd on the edge of their seats, Higgins completed a remarkable comeback to win 6-5, booking his place in a Masters final for the first time since 2021. The 50-year-old’s fighting spirit and tactical nous were on full display, making him the oldest player ever to reach the final of a Triple Crown event. “Even at 5-3 down I didn’t give up. It was the same against Zhao Xintong,” Higgins reflected. “Who knows, maybe my name is on the trophy? You just don’t know. I am so proud.”

While Higgins’ resurgence has been the talk of the tournament, the evening semi-final offered a fresh narrative. Wu Yize, already a giant killer for ousting Murphy, squared off against Kyren Wilson. Wilson, who had edged Neil Robertson 6-5 in a previous round, was eager to make his mark. The match was set for a 7 PM start, with fans tuning in across BBC, TNT Sports, and streaming platforms like BBC iPlayer and discovery+.

With the final now set for Sunday, January 18, anticipation is at an all-time high. The Masters, always a highlight of the snooker calendar, has once again lived up to its billing as the sport’s most exclusive invitational. The event is broadcast live across BBC One, BBC Two, BBC Four, and TNT Sports, ensuring fans don’t miss a single pot or safety exchange.

The road to the final has been paved with stories of redemption, resilience, and raw talent. John Higgins’ journey, in particular, has captured the imagination of snooker enthusiasts everywhere. Part of the famed ‘Class of 92’ alongside Mark Williams and Ronnie O’Sullivan, Higgins has often played down his chances in recent years. After a four-year title drought and some heartbreaking defeats in major finals—including three consecutive Crucible losses between 2017 and 2019—many wondered if his time at the top was over. Yet, since winning the World Open just over a year ago, Higgins has looked rejuvenated, his competitive edge as sharp as ever.

“People will laugh but I think I’m a better player now than I’ve ever been,” Higgins declared, brimming with pride after his semi-final triumph. His ability to dig deep against the very best, dispatching both the reigning world champion and the world number one in back-to-back matches, is testament to his enduring class.

On the other side of the draw, Wu Yize’s breakthrough run has been a revelation. The young Chinese player’s fearless approach and calm under pressure have marked him as one to watch—not just this week, but for years to come. Kyren Wilson, seeded fourth, has also impressed, particularly in his tight victory over Neil Robertson. With odds-makers initially favouring Judd Trump and Kyren Wilson, the upsets have thrown the betting markets into disarray, keeping punters and fans guessing at every turn.

Neil Robertson, seeded fifth and priced at 9/2 with Betano before the tournament, saw his campaign halted by Wilson, despite showing glimpses of his world championship-winning form. His coach, Joe Perry, has been credited with revitalizing Robertson’s game, but it just wasn’t to be this year at Ally Pally.

As the Masters final approaches, the snooker world is abuzz with speculation. Will John Higgins, now the oldest finalist in Triple Crown history, cap off his remarkable run with a third Masters crown—20 years after his last triumph? Or will the winner of the Wu Yize versus Kyren Wilson semi-final seize the moment and etch their name into the annals of snooker lore?

One thing’s for certain: the 2026 Masters has delivered on every front. With drama, high-quality play, and unforgettable storylines, it’s a tournament that has reminded everyone why snooker holds such a special place in the sporting calendar. As the final session beckons at Alexandra Palace, the stage is set for an epic showdown, and fans the world over will be glued to their screens to see who emerges victorious.