John Higgins explains why he is 'better than ever' after 'unbelievable' comeback quarter-final win over Mark Selby at Tour Championship

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John Higgins emulated his epic comeback victory over Mark Selby in last year's Tour Championship final as a 10-8 win saw him book a spot in the semi-finals. Having trailed Selby 8-5 in the 2025 title match, Higgins clicked into top gear to reel off five straight frames at Manchester Central. He repeated the feat this time with another superb display after Selby had led 8-5 and 47-0 on Thursday.

'That puts fear into your opponents' - Higgins makes early statement with stunning red

Video credit: TNT Sports

John Higgins is convinced that he is playing the best snooker of his golden 34-year career after completing another glorious comeback win against Mark Selby at the Tour Championship in Manchester.

Higgins produced a rousing recovery from 8-5 and 47-0 behind in the quarter-finals on Thursday to extend his title defence in completing a second successive victory over his fellow four-time world champion.

A year ago, Higgins had looked down and out trailing Selby by a similar scoreline in the final before finding some vintage form with knocks of 110, 67, 80 and 132 enough to secure the title.

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This time he unearthed closing efforts of 56, 92, 74, 78 and 72 to set up a semi-final meeting with world champion Zhao Xintong on Saturday after Selby had rallied from 5-3 behind in the first session to lead 8-5.

Zhao also looks to be in immaculate touch after compiling five centuries in a 10-4 win over Chris Wakelin at the season's penultimate ranking event.

”It is an unbelievable win against an unbelievable champion," said Higgins, who edged fellow Class of '92' icon Mark Williams 10-8 in the first round. "I keep on saying it and people think I’m mad, but I’m a better player now than I have ever been. It is simple.

'He's done it the hard way!' - Higgins books Masters final spot with phenomenal comeback

Video credit: TNT Sports

"If people don’t believe that now, then that is up to them, but I feel it within myself and my all-round game. I think my outlook on the game too means I’m a lot more relaxed and in a better place. It all adds up to being a better player.

"Of course, you still want to win and compete with these guys. You are gutted if you lose. But I’m at that stage in my career now where I’m just enjoying these big matches. I'm over the moon again.

”At 8-5, I was just thinking back to last year’s final and keeping positive thoughts."

At the age of 50, 'The Wizard of Wishaw' is enjoying a rich campaign having reached finals at the International Championship, Masters and Players Championship.

He has also lost in the semi-finals of the British Open and Welsh Open, as well as the quarter-finals at the Wuhan Open, Northern Ireland Open, Champion of Champions and Riyadh Season Championship, to take his season's earnings over the £500,000 mark.

"He has to be the most consistent player this season without winning," said seven-time world champion Stephen Hendry on the World Snooker Tour podcast.

"We all know that John plays to win these days, he doesn't play to reach semi-finals and finals. He wants to try to get trophies. But he will be absolutely delighted with his season."

Higgins has already faced Zhao three times this year, edging a 6-5 win in the Masters last eight with Zhao enjoying victories in the last 32 of the World Grand Prix (5-3) and Players Championship final (10-7).

”I've got two great wins against Mark Williams and Mark Selby this week," the world No. 6 said.

"The first four frames tonight, I wasn’t really competing. Mark gave me a couple of chances, and I just felt my game wasn’t there. But the match just spun around.

”It’s going to be incredibly difficult playing Zhao, he’s another unbelievable champion, made five centuries against Chris, and makes the game look so easy."

Top seed Neil Robertson faces world No. 1 Judd Trump in the opening best-of-19 frame semi-final on Friday before Higgins and Zhao collide on Saturday in Manchester.

'Virtuoso display of snooker' - Zhao hits fifth century to seal 'ridiculously easy' final win

Video credit: TNT Sports

Tour Championship quarter-final results

Neil Robertson (Aus) 10-8 Barry Hawkins (Eng)
Shaun Murphy (Eng) 9-10 Judd Trump (Eng)
Zhao Xintong (Chn) 10-4 Chris Wakelin (Eng)
Mark Selby (Eng) 8-10 John Higgins (Sco)

Watch and stream the 2025/26 snooker season, including the 50th World Championship, live on TNT Sports and HBO Max

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