John Higgins continues to defy snooker’s ageing curve, keeping step with fellow members of the famed “Class of ’92” after breaking a Masters record that had stood for four decades. At 50, Higgins reached the semi-finals at Alexandra Palace, becoming the oldest player to win a match at the Masters since his own previous appearance earlier in the week and the oldest to do so since Eddie Charlton achieved the feat 40 years ago.
Higgins followed up his commanding 6–2 first-round win over Barry Hawkins with a dramatic 6–5 comeback against reigning world champion Zhao Xintong. Trailing 5–3, the Scot rode his luck and summoned flashes of vintage form to turn the match around, sealing victory on the final black. In doing so, he matched Charlton’s long-standing mark from 1986, underlining the enduring quality of snooker’s senior elite.
Reflecting on the match, Higgins admitted fortune played its part. He acknowledged escaping punishment for missed shots and benefiting from a fluke after misjudging a plant at a critical stage. Rather than feeling pressure, Higgins said he embraced the occasion, appreciating the atmosphere and refusing to concede defeat even when behind.
The result sets up a semi-final clash with world number one Judd Trump, as Higgins bids to become the oldest Masters champion in history, two decades after lifting his second title at the event. Trump, who holds a 22–14 career advantage over Higgins, described the Scot as the ultimate opponent, praising both his playing style and sportsmanship. While their rivalry has swung in Trump’s favour in recent years, he remains effusive about Higgins’ class and the purity of their contests.
Higgins’ latest achievement mirrors similar milestones from his contemporaries. Ronnie O’Sullivan is both the youngest and oldest Masters champion and recently became the oldest player to make a maximum break, while Mark Williams claimed ranking-event history last season by winning the Xi’an Grand Prix at 50. Together, the trio continue to challenge the notion that snooker is a young man’s game.
As Higgins noted, victories carry greater meaning with age. His run at the Masters is another reminder that, in modern snooker, excellence is not constrained by the calendar. If you are good enough, you remain old enough.
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