John Higgins Stuns Zhao Xintong In Masters Thriller

The 2026 Masters at Alexandra Palace has delivered a week of snooker drama that’s kept fans on the edge of their seats, and as the quarter-finals unfolded, the tournament’s narrative only grew more compelling. From the uncanny streak of 6-2 scorelines in every first-round match to the heart-stopping decider that propelled John Higgins into the semi-finals, this year’s Masters has already etched its place in snooker folklore.

It all began with a bizarre twist: every single first-round encounter ended 6-2, a statistical oddity that set the stage for a week where nothing could be taken for granted. While some observers wondered if the tournament had lost a bit of its vintage sparkle, the business end of the draw quickly proved that snooker’s greatest theatre was alive and well.

One of the biggest stories to emerge was the resurgence of John Higgins. The 50-year-old Scot, a two-time Masters champion and four-time world champion, showed both grit and class as he dispatched Barry Hawkins 6-2 in the first round. Higgins’ performance was a masterclass in precision and timing, featuring breaks of 50, 71, 53, 99, 58, and 61. As Jimmy White remarked on TNT Sports, “You only missed one long red.” White went on to call Higgins’ long potting some of the best he’d ever witnessed—a high compliment from a snooker legend.

Higgins himself seemed to relish the moment. “I was really, really happy,” he said after the match. “I potted some good long balls, which has not been my strong point lately.” He also spoke candidly about his new approach to the game at this stage in his career: “I have got to a stage now where I just want to enjoy myself.” The electric atmosphere at Alexandra Palace, which Higgins believes surpasses even the storied Wembley Conference Centre, only added to his sense of occasion.

But Higgins’ journey was far from straightforward. In the quarter-finals, he faced the reigning world champion, Zhao Xintong, in a match that quickly became an instant classic. Zhao, who had dispatched Gary Wilson 6-2 in his own first-round tie, looked poised to end Higgins’ run. But in a rollercoaster contest, Higgins summoned every ounce of his experience and nerve, clawing back from behind to win the last three frames and secure a dramatic 6-5 comeback victory.

The match was packed with tension and wild swings of fortune. Higgins admitted as much in his post-match comments to BBC Sport: “I was so lucky, in the second last frame I tried a plant and butchered it and fluked a ball. Then I got a chance in the last frame and I don’t normally play those plain ball shots across. I should have screwed up for a baulk colour and I miss. I fancied him going for the red. He missed, got me in a snooker that I got out of and then it’s a tough one he misses.”

As the final black dropped, Higgins could barely contain his pride. “I am delighted and I am so proud I am still doing it. So proud I am through to another semi-final here and I will enjoy it. I’ve got Mark Allen or Judd Trump next, two of the best players we have ever seen play the game so it’ll be tough. I will enjoy it and give it my best.”

The crowd at Alexandra Palace, and indeed fans tuning in around the world, responded with a wave of admiration. Social media and BBC’s live coverage were awash with praise for Higgins’ determination and skill, with fans like Dave from West Midlands declaring, “John has been my number 1 for years, so happy to see him make the semi finals, he has true grit and determination.” Another summed up the sentiment: “John Higgins is pure class! To still have the hunger and desire to win and play how he’s playing at his age is just incredible!”

Elsewhere in the quarter-finals, world number one Judd Trump and Northern Ireland’s Mark Allen prepared to renew their rivalry. Both are former Masters champions—Allen in 2018 and Trump in 2019 and 2023—and had coasted through their first-round matches with identical 6-2 victories over Mark Williams and Ding Junhui, respectively. Trump, still searching for his first title of the season, faced a daunting challenge in Allen, who holds a 19-15 head-to-head advantage. Their clash, scheduled for the evening session on January 15, promised fireworks.

The bottom half of the draw also featured a pair of intriguing newcomers: Wu Yize and Xiao Guodong, both debutants at the Masters. Wu had stunned reigning champion Shaun Murphy, while Xiao took down three-time winner Mark Selby. Both players, proven ranking event winners this season, now found themselves on the brink of a semi-final berth—an extraordinary achievement on their first appearance at the Alexandra Palace.

Rounding out the quarter-finals, Neil Robertson, another former Masters champion, faced off against Kyren Wilson. Robertson had overcome a late change in opposition—preparing for Ronnie O’Sullivan but drawing Chris Wakelin instead—and advanced with a 6-2 win. Wilson, the 2024 world champion, produced a brace of century breaks to see off Si Jiahui. Their head-to-head was finely poised, with Robertson leading 10-9 overall, though Wilson had the edge in longer matches.

With a total prize fund of £1,015,000 on the line and the champion set to pocket £350,000, the stakes couldn’t be higher. The semi-finals were scheduled for January 17, with the grand final to follow on January 18 in two sessions. Fans across the globe could follow the action via a host of broadcasters, including the BBC, TNT Sports, Eurosport, and CCTV5, depending on their region.

As the Masters heads into its decisive stages, one thing is certain: the tournament has already produced moments that will be talked about for years to come. Whether it’s the remarkable resilience of John Higgins, the emergence of new talents like Wu Yize and Xiao Guodong, or the ongoing rivalries among snooker’s elite, Alexandra Palace remains the sport’s grandest stage. And with the semi-finals looming, the drama is far from over—snooker fans everywhere will be watching to see who seizes the moment next.