Four-time world champion John Higgins of Scotland swept past home player Pang Xunju 5-0 in the World Snooker Tour (WST) World Open quarterfinals in Shangrao, east China's Jiangxi Province, on Thursday.
The last time Pang faced Higgins was in the qualifying tournament for the Welsh Open in 2022 when Higgins beat Pang 4-1. He maintained his dominance over the only Chinese player in the last 8 on the night, making a break of 125 to clinch the first frame and then delivered another three breaks of 87, 96, 81 in the following three games respectively before sealing the deal.
Higgins will play Englishman Zak Surety in the semifinals. Surety defeated his compatriot Tom Fard 5-3 on the same day.
In another eye-catching last 8 battle between two English players, Joe O'Connor continued his giant-slaying journey by defeating Shaun Murphy 5-1. O'Connor began with breaks of 135 and 100 to lead 2-0. Though Murphy replied a century of 128 in the third frame, O'Connor claimed three straight frames, including making a break of 132 in the fourth, to pocket the final victory.
\"I played really well and didn't give Shaun many chances,\" O'Connor said. \"When the long pots are going in you have to punish the top players, that's what I did today and I'm proud of it. It's cementing confidence I have had for many years. This week it has all come together and hopefully I can win the trophy. If I play like that it will take a lot to stop me. I have been consistent for a while now and when my game clicks I feel I can beat anyone.\"
O'Connor will face another Englishman Ali Carter next. Carter came back from 3-1 and 4-3 down to edge Barry Hawkins 5-4. He has won two of his six ranking titles in China.
Reference(s):
John Higgins sweeps Pang Junxu to reach WST World Open semifinals
cgtn.com
