Higgins Refuses to Yield! Wizard of Wishaw Stuns World Champion in Final-Black Decider
John Higgins once again reminded the snooker world why he is regarded as one of the game’s ultimate competitors, producing a stirring fightback to refuse defeat when it mattered most. Staring down the barrel at 5–3 behind, the four-time world champion dug deep, summoning every ounce of experience, nerve and belief to drag himself back into a match that seemed to be slipping away.
The Wizard of Wishaw weathered the storm against reigning world champion Zhao Xintong, whose fluent scoring and fearless shot-making had put him on the brink of victory. But Higgins, as he has done so many times throughout his illustrious career, found a way. Crucial breaks at precisely the right moments shifted the momentum, while a couple of outrageous flukes added to the drama and underlined the chaotic, topsy-turvy nature of the contest.
Frame by frame, Higgins clawed his way back, refusing to blink under pressure. The match surged all the way to a deciding frame, with tension crackling around the arena. Both players had chances, both felt the weight of the moment, but it was Higgins who held his nerve when it counted most.
In a thrilling finale, the match was settled on the final black. With trademark composure, Higgins stepped up and delivered, sealing a remarkable 6–5 victory to knock out the world champion and book his place in the latter stages of the Masters.
It was a finish befitting the occasion — dramatic, unpredictable, and rich in emotion. Above all, it was a masterclass in champion mentality. Just when defeat seemed inevitable, John Higgins reminded everyone that class, resilience and belief never fade.
