In one of the most gripping matches of this year's World Snooker Championship, Scotland's John Higgins narrowly defeated China's Xiao Guodong 13-12 during Saturday's marathon duel at Sheffield's Crucible Theatre. The 25-frame thriller showcased precision and nerve as both players battled across three sessions without either establishing a decisive lead.
The contest remained deadlocked throughout the first two sessions, with neither player ahead by more than one frame. Xiao gained a temporary 9-8 advantage after executing a daring red pot that set up a frame-winning 76 break, only for four-time champion Higgins to respond with equal determination. A crucial long yellow shot gave the Scot a 10-9 edge, but Xiao fought back to 10-10, capitalizing on a rare Higgins oversight.
Drama peaked in the final frames as Higgins inched closer to victory with a masterful 41 break, but a resilient Xiao clawed back to 12-12. The deciding frame saw Higgins clinch victory with trademark composure, setting up a quarterfinal clash against fellow 'Class of 92' legend Mark Williams. This result marks another strong showing for Chinese snooker talent, with Xiao's performance underscoring Asia's growing influence in the sport.
