Robertson Leads John Higgins 9-7 in Crucible Quarter-Final
Neil Robertson led john higgins 9-7 in their World Snooker Championship quarter-final at the Crucible, leaving Higgins with work to do in a best of 25 frames match that runs to Wednesday. Robertson also moved closer to the semi-finals as the quarter-final stage narrowed toward its finish.
Crucible Table One
Higgins started the night with a 63 break in the opening frame, but a positional mistake left the cue ball behind the blue when the blue was respotted and cost him four foul points. Robertson then missed a long red and handed Higgins a chance, turning an opening foothold into a tighter scoreline without changing the overall balance of the contest.
That first-frame sequence set the tone on table one. Higgins had the first real opportunity of the evening after Robertson’s safety error, then his own shot choice opened the door for Robertson to keep control of the match and protect the lead.
Wu Yize Puts Vafaei Under Pressure
On table two, Wu Yize led Hossein Vafaei 11-6 after making a 75 break that all but wrapped up the opening frame. Vafaei came back to the table needing at least five snookers, a margin that left him in a deep hole as the session moved on.
The other quarter-final scoreline mattered because the last four were already taking shape. Shaun Murphy beat defending champion Zhao Xintong 13-10 to reach the semi-finals, and Mark Allen beat Barry Hawkins 13-11 to book the other place already decided.
Murphy And Allen Advance
Those results leave Robertson, Higgins, Wu and Vafaei fighting for the remaining places while Murphy and Allen wait in the semi-finals. With the quarter-finals played over 25 frames, the Wednesday finish still leaves room for the lead to flip, but Robertson’s 9-7 advantage gives him the cleaner path into the final four.
For Higgins, the night began with a 63 break and a chance, then shifted when the foul points went against him. For Robertson, the scoreline is the reward for taking the opening mistakes and turning them into a two-frame cushion at the Crucible.
