'He wasn't happy!' - John Higgins visibly angry as referee stops Chris Wakelin tie due to bizarre scheduling issue

John Higgins was visibly fuming at a crucial stage of his encounter with Chris Wakelin after being told their final-frame decider had to be delayed until the evening. The Wizard fouled to see his English rival level the score at 5-5, meaning the match - which was into its fourth hour - needed to go to a one-frame shoot-out for a place in the International Championship semi-final.

Higgins visibly angry with decision to stop Wakelin match

Video credit: TNT Sports

John Higgins let out an uncharacteristic angry outburst after being told his nip-and-tuck International Championship quarter-final against Chris Wakelin had to be delayed until after the evening session.

The 49-year-old fouled in the ninth frame as Wakelin pulled level at 5-5 and took the game into a one-frame shoot-out for a place in the semi-finals.

As Higgins returned to his seat, however, the referee ended the session, on account of a match set to start on the table in half an hour.

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The Higgins-Wakelin showdown was in its fourth hour and time was needed for people to exit the venue, and for new fans to arrive for the afternoon session.

Upon being told the session was over, the Wizard was visibly furious, gesticulating with his right hand, shaking his head and seemingly exclaiming an expletive.

Commentating on the incident, Europsort's Phil Studd said: "Oh, I think Higgins has just been told that’s it.

"And you saw his reaction. He wasn’t happy."

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A day earlier, Higgins had similarly appeared puzzled, and gave the referee short shrift during their handshake after seeing his game with Lyu Haotian stopped - once again - following the 10th frame.