John Higgins reached the semi-finals of the Players Championship on Thursday afternoon after defeating Chris Wakelin 6–3, and he shared some heartfelt words for his opponent afterward.

John Higgins Books Semi-Final Spot at Players Championship — Praises Chris Wakelin as “A Real Gentleman” After Hard-Fought Win.

 

 

 

Telford, England — Four-time World Champion John Higgins marched into the semi-finals of the 2026 Players Championship on Thursday afternoon with a gritty 6–3 victory over Chris Wakelin, but it wasn’t just the scoreline that caught attention — it was what Higgins said afterward.

After sealing his place in the last four with breaks including a crucial 70 and a solid 84, Higgins walked over to Wakelin, shook his hand warmly, and offered genuine praise: “Chris is a real gentleman. He’s got that fighting spirit — never gives up. I knew it’d be tough, and he showed why he’s one of the most underrated players on tour.”

Wakelin, who had earlier stunned Xiao Guodong 6–2 to reach the quarters, pushed Higgins all the way. Trailing 2–4, Wakelin clawed back to 3–4 with a smart safety exchange and a tidy 53 break, forcing Higgins to dig deep. But Higgins steadied himself with a clinical clearance in frame eight and wrapped it up with a composed pot in the ninth.

“It wasn’t easy,” Higgins admitted post-match. “Chris kept coming at me, never backed off. That’s the kind of player you respect — especially when you’re trying to get through to the semis.”

The win extended Higgins’ own record: this was his 155th ranking quarter-final appearance — a testament to his longevity and consistency across nearly three decades on the circuit.

Higgins now faces either Judd Trump or Mark Williams in the semi-finals, depending on Thursday evening’s quarter-final outcome. “I’ll take either,” Higgins smiled. “I’ve played both loads of times. Trump’s got that explosive scoring; Williams brings the calm pressure. Either way, I’m ready.”

But it was Higgins’ tribute to Wakelin that stole headlines. “He’s got heart,” Higgins said. “He doesn’t just play snooker — he fights for every frame. And he deserves more recognition for how hard he works behind the scenes.”

Wakelin, who entered the tournament seeded eighth with 239,800 one-year ranking points ¹, responded humbly: “John’s words mean a lot. He’s one of the greats, and to hear him say that about me? That’s special.”

Their match wasn’t without drama. In frame five, Wakelin appeared to move slightly as Higgins lined up a shot — sparking a brief pause and a nod from referee Brendan Moore. Higgins chose not to call it, saying later: “We’re all professionals. If there’s a millimeter of movement, I’d rather focus on my own game than make a fuss.”

Higgins’ sportsmanship echoed his recent trial as a Channel 5 pundit — where he’s been praised for keeping calm under pressure and offering insightful, respectful commentary.

Now heading into the semi-finals, Higgins carries momentum from beating top seed Neil Robertson 6–1 earlier in the week — a performance that included a majestic 133 clearance.

“I’m not thinking about titles yet,” Higgins told reporters. “Just taking it one match at a time. But yeah… if I can get past whoever’s waiting, I’d love to give the fans another trophy.”

The Players Championship offers £35,000 for reaching the semi-finals, and Higgins knows every frame counts toward his quest for more silverware.

As he prepares for Saturday’s showdown, Higgins’ message to Wakelin lingers: respect isn’t just earned with wins — sometimes, it’s given after a battle. events?