John Higgins to face Joe O'Connor in World Open final as Ali Carter suffers semi-final exit

We have reached the business end of the 2025 World Open in Yushan as four players battle it out for a place in Saturday's final. John Higgins edged out world No. 89 Zak Surety 6-5, with the four-time world champion aiming to land a first title since 2021, before Joe O'Connor overcame Crucible finalist Ali Carter 6-3 in the evening session. Stream all the action live on discovery+.

‘Everyone feels the pressure’ - Higgins eventually wins in 11th-frame decider after tense misses

Video credit: TNT Sports

John Higgins won the final three frames against world No. 89 Zak Surety to book his place in Saturday's World Open final against Joe O'Connor in Yushan with an epic 6-5 semi-final win.

Despite struggling for form and trailing throughout the match, the four-time world champion held his nerve with two composed 72 breaks in the final three frames helping him book his spot in a 57th ranking event final.

After defeating Judd Trump and Shaun Murphy, world No. 39 O'Connor stayed on course for his maiden ranking title with a dominant 6-3 win over 2016 World Open champion Ali Carter.

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2022 Welsh Open finalist O'Connor produced composed breaks of 62, 68, 75 and 73 with his opponent compiling 61, 96 and 71 in a semi-final brimming with quality shotmaking.

While Surety also enjoyed a fine few days in China, he will fly back to the UK wondering how he managed to lose a match that saw him produce breaks of 65 and 56 to lead 3-1 and 5-3 in his quest to become the lowest-ranked player to win a tournament in 32 years.

He also had chances to complete the victory in the closing three frames, but could not punish Higgins, who was well beneath his peak level of form despite producing breaks of 61, 113 and 94.

Higgins, chasing a first major title since 2021, punched the air after recovering from 41-0 behind in the decider as Surety was left to rue squandering several chances to continue his dream run.

Saturday's best-of-19 frame final will see winner earn a £175,000 first prize and is live on TNT Sports and discovery+ at 6am GMT.

RESULT: CARTER 3-6 O'CONNOR

CARTER 3-5 O'CONNOR (11-77)

45 from O'Connor to finish matters off. Carter offers the handshake. A 6-3 win for O'Connor, who will face John Higgins in the World Open final on Saturday.

CARTER 3-5 O'CONNOR (11-61)

O'Connor on the brink and Carter must know his race is nearly run in this semi-final. In goes pink. 50 ahead, a possible 51 left up. In goes a double on red, and that is the match-clincher surely.

CARTER 3-5 O'CONNOR (11-32)

Joe so unfortunate not to land nicely on a red after splitting the pack wide open. Carter tries a do-or-die pot from distance. Doesn't drop. And suddenly, every chance for O'Connor to get this semi-final won.

CARTER 3-5 O'CONNOR (11-13)

Ali breaking down early on as he butchers an attempt at pot on a red before giving off a huge sigh. O'Connor with a superb pot on brown near a side rail to take white down to behind black spot for next red. Chance to make some progress.

CARTER 3-5 O'CONNOR (1-1)

Brilliant long red by O'Connor. Struck that spot on. No signs of tension in the O'Connor cue arm, but he then misses the green. Didn't expect that. Carter quickly out of his chair.

CARTER 2-5 O'CONNOR (78-0)

Ali wasting little or no time in putting away the balls he requires to trails 5-3. A very good break under the circumstances. A quick-fire 71 from Carter and is he still in the ball game in Yushan.

CARTER 2-5 O'CONNOR (31-0)

Carter missing a tough red along top cushion, but nothing easy for Joe as he can't nudge in a tricky plant on reds to opposite bag. Ali looking to return to table to press on.

CARTER 2-5 O'CONNOR (6-0)

Carter clubbing home a mid-range red after O'Connor tried and failed with a dashing attempt at a long red from long range.

CARTER 2-5 O'CONNOR (0-0)

Carter breaks off the eighth frame. Carter will need the next four frames for victory. Right under the pump, and then some.

CARTER 2-4 O'CONNOR (8-73)

A telling contribution of 73 from Joe. Which should be more than good enough for a 5-2 advantage. Unless Ali can unearth two snookers. And he has seen enough after being left in a snooker.

CARTER 2-4 O'CONNOR (0-36)

Not yet reached 40 in this contribution, but this already looks like a golden chance to move 5-2 ahead at this visit. Looks completely dialled in out there.

CARTER 2-4 O'CONNOR (0-20)

Neither man wanting to take a backward step as Joe responds with another terrific long red to get the party started.

CARTER 1-4 O'CONNOR (96-0)

A big one-visit hit from Carter is just the job for the 2016 World Open champion. Brown stays out to top left-hand pocket, but a 96 will do his self-belief no harm at all. Back to 4-2 behind. O'Connor needs two, Carter four out of a possible five still to play.

CARTER 1-4 O'CONNOR (59-0)

Very classy response from Carter. Probably odds against him making a century, but the frame has been won.

CARTER 1-4 O'CONNOR (37-0)

A typical Carter break in progress despite folks sneezing and ringtones going off. Fighting to maintain this break with a few excellent recovery pots.

CARTER 1-4 O'CONNOR (15-0)

Carter with a positive start to this frame as he puts away a fine long red. Into the pack of reds before canning an excellent red bridging over another red. So in decent position to build a healthy lead.

CARTER 1-3 O'CONNOR (4-78)

Job done by Joe O'Connor in the fifth frame as he moves 4-1 to the good in the race to six. Long ways back for Carter from this predicament.

CARTER 1-3 O'CONNOR (4-54)

O'Connor making no mistakes with his long red. In goes black. Should surely by 4-1 now.

CARTER 1-3 O'CONNOR (4-46)

Sloppy positional shot for once by O'Connor and he is forced to take on a tougher red to left middle. Which doesn't drop. He'll be disappointed to end the break there. And he compounds the error by going in off a red seconds later. Carter then misses a red over a top pocket.

CARTER 1-3 O'CONNOR (0-39)

O'Connor making some progress here. All going to be about the split on reds to turn this into a frame-winning effort. In goes the blue. White hits pink on nose, and reds are wide open now. What a chance for a 4-1 lead.

CARTER 1-3 O'CONNOR (0-9)

Boys back on the baize. O'Connor breaks off the fifth frame of a possible 11. Ali going for a long one, but off the potting angle. Joe drills a red down table to yellow bag before cutting in the black. And he has first go at the balls here.

CARTER 1-2 O'CONNOR (21-93)

75 clearance from Joe O'Connor, who is suddenly 3-1 clear in the race to six. Very, very impressive from Joe, who has produced breaks of 62, 68 and 75 with Ali responding with 61 in the second frame.

CARTER 1-2 O'CONNOR (21-60)

In goes the pink needed by Joe, and the blunder by Ali is going to cost him the frame. Probably a good time for Carter to get out of the arena for 15 minutes.

CARTER 1-2 O'CONNOR (21-45)

O'Connor closing out what looks like a run to the line for a 3-1 lead. Ali forced to sit and suffer and ponder what might have been.

CARTER 1-2 O'CONNOR (21-24)

Well, a moment of brilliance and bedlam for Carter as he made a terrific shot with white from close-range, almost like a pool shot, on a red before missing a sitter with the rest seconds later. All these balls could have been Carter's.

CARTER 1-2 O'CONNOR (10-17)

Ali would dearly love to restore parity at the interval as he pops in a cut on a red to right centre.

CARTER 1-2 O'CONNOR (4-17)

O'Connor clearly has the right temperament for snooker. Refuses to get too up or down during his visits to the table. Tricky red doesn't drop on that occasion, but no major harm done. Joe then goes in off.

CARTER 1-2 O'CONNOR (0-1)

Final frame before the half-time break in Yushan. O'Connor can't slot black at pace in trying to open up reds. But he is back at the scoring end seconds later after Carter leaves red in escaping from a snooker.

CARTER 1-2 O'CONNOR (0-0)

"Interesting vibe going on," says former Masters champions Alan McManus. "Terrific match so far."

CARTER 1-1 O'CONNOR (37-68)

This has been superb stuff from O'Connor as he dishes up the remaining reds with white ball under tight control. Faced with a decision to make on the final green, he rolls in the green dead weight using rest. Ali now needing two snookers. But in goes the brown. And that should be that. Ali nods the head, Joe with a 2-1 lead.

CARTER 1-1 O'CONNOR (37-37)

O'Connor back in the hunt in this third frame. One tricky red on a side rail and two reds tied up in middle of table. Nice cannon sorts that out. O'Connor floating around the table with few signs of being disturbed by much. Even those ringtones.

CARTER 1-1 O'CONNOR (37-0)

Into the pack of reds off blue, but does not land ideally on the next red. Just a safety shot to follow from Ali, who then misses a cut on a red to middle seconds later. Chance for Joe to reassert himself.

‘Everyone feels the pressure’ - Higgins eventually wins in 11th-frame decider after tense misses

Video credit: TNT Sports

CARTER 1-1 O'CONNOR (25-0)

Another excellent pot from Ali sees a red disappear into a top bag. Really is a fabulous striker of the ball. Joe forced to take a seat after failing to can a mid-range cut on a red. What will Ali make here amid the ongoing threat of ringtones in Yushan.

CARTER 0-1 O'CONNOR (107-1)

'The Captain' has lift-off in second frame and battle is joined. 1-1 in this semi-final joust in Yushan.

CARTER 0-1 O'CONNOR (76-1)

Brilliant shot by Ali from distance as he drains a straight red. That is going to be a frame winner. Brilliant piece of straight cueing. Always does confidence no harm at all. Heading for 1-1.

CARTER 0-1 O'CONNOR (61-1)

Six reds still left up and all out in open if Joe discovers a scoring chance.

CARTER 0-1 O'CONNOR (61-0)

Ali can't get pack open off the black so opts for pushing a red safe rather than attempt to hole it to green bag.

CARTER 0-1 O'CONNOR (47-0)

"Quite an attractive match this," comments Alan McManus. "Both are outstanding technicians." Meanwhile, off goes a ringtone on a phone and Carter has a smile.

CARTER 0-1 O'CONOR (17-0)

Error by Joe leaves a red over a top pocket, and Ali doesn't waste any time in dropping in red and holding for black. Chance to get scoring boots on.

CARTER 0-1 O'CONNOR (0-0)

Carter has won the two previous meetings of these men, including a 5-3 win in the quarter-finals of the Welsh Open earlier this month.

CARTER 0-0 O'CONNOR (36-87)

A swift break of 62 from O'Connor to lead 1-0 in this semi-final. Supreme piece of break-building to get job done as black disappears.

CARTER 0-0 O'CONNOR (36-60)

Very impressive from Joe. Needed a second bite at the cherry, but hasn't turned down the invite as he puts away yellow to leave Ali needing a snooker.

CARTER 0-0 O'CONNOR (36-48)

O'Connor punches the penultimate red into the left middle. Ali Carter looks on. Waiting and wondering if he'll get another chance in this frame.

CARTER 0-0 O'CONNOR (36-34)

Ali responds with 36, but he can't see the potting angle on a red and it fails to drop. One visit each then. No big hit straight off bat, but Joe is back at the baize and has obvious opportunity to register the first frame of this semi-final.

CARTER 0-0 O'CONNOR (5-25)

O'Connor dismantled Masters champion Shaun Murphy with three centuries in the quarter-finals and is looking to crack on here. But he misses a red to green pocket using rest. "That is a poor shot," says Alan McManus in comms. "I'm a wee bit mystified by that. Basically did nothing with the cue ball."

CARTER 0-0 O'CONNOR (0-6)

Bit of an error by Carter to leave O'Connor with red to right middle. And in it goes. Chance to get hand on table for Joe then and settle into this semi-final.

CARTER 0-0 O'CONNOR (0-0)

Boys on the baize, and we are off and running in the second semi-final. It could be a quite a taut battle here. Early bout of safety to sort out who gets first prod at balls. White down near black.

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Jack Lisowski is "the closest thing" snooker has to another Ronnie O’Sullivan, believes Ali Carter. The Captain was speaking at the World Open in Yushan after securing his spot in the quarter-finals. Carter edged Lisowski 5-4 in the last 32 and stated his admiration for the 33-year-old’s game. Lisowski is a six-time ranking-event finalist but has yet to land a big title.

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- - -

John Higgins won the final three frames against world No. 89 Zak Surety to book his place in Saturday's World Open final in Yushan with an epic 6-5 semi-final win.

Surety will fly back to the UK wondering how he managed to lose a match that saw him produce breaks of 65 and 56 to lead 3-1 and 5-3 in his quest to become the lowest-ranked player to win a tournament in 32 years.

He also had chances to complete the victory in the closing three frames, but could not punish Higgins, who was well beneath his peak level of form despite producing breaks of 61, 113 and 94.

Higgins, chasing a first major title since 2021, punched the air after recovering from 41-0 behind in the decider as Surety was left to rue squandering several chances to continue his dream run.

The Scotsman will face Ali Carter or Joe O'Connor in Sunday's best-of-19 frame final for the £175,000 first prize.

RESULT: HIGGINS 6-5 SURETY

HIGGINS 5-5 SURETY (72-41)

Higgins finishes the match with a break of 72. A 6-5 win for Higgins, who punches the air after the blue disappears. A brutal defeat for Surety, who surely should have won that semi-final.

HIGGINS 5-5 SURETY (58-41)

Lovely shot by Higgins as he slides in blue and lands nicely on final red. In goes blue, and the colours are there for the taking now.

HIGGINS 5-5 SURETY (47-41)

Higgins into the lead with two reds left up. Break reaches 46. In goes red to left middle.

HIGGINS 5-5 SURETY (36-41)

This would be some escape for Higgins if he can see this out. Has never looked like the winner today in this semi-final.

HIGGINS 5-5 SURETY (15-41)

What a chance then for Higgins to put away this match with reds all in the open. All about pressure now. Nothing difficult for Higgins if he can keep control of the white ball.

HIGGINS 5-5 SURETY (1-41)

37 from Surety before he tries to open the pack. White is near a top cushion, but a terrific red to left middle is dropped in and the green to left middle is also put away. But he then misses a mid-range red. And Higgins and Surety both miss reds to centre bags. Very, very tense out there.

HIGGINS 5-5 SURETY (0-14)

Surety with another fine cut on a red to right centre after Higgins was short of leaving white on top cush. First chance to the world No. 89.

HIGGINS 4-5 SURETY (74-20)

Looks like we are heading for a decider then as Higgins cans a double on red to seal the deal. 38 knock to finalise the frame. Higgins using all his experience to stay alive when he has not been at his best.

HIGGINS 4-5 SURETY (51-20)

Zak with a poor safety shot in response and Higgins steps in with a composed red to left centre amid the sound of mobile phones. Surety shaking his head in his chair. Higgins on the brink of taking us the distance.

HIGGINS 4-5 SURETY (36-20)

Higgins with another dreadful positional shot at the wrong time. Which has been the story of the day. Dead bats the white to a red. This frame still right in the balance with six reds left up.

HIGGINS 4-5 SURETY (6-20)

Pressure mounting out there as Higgins is faced with a horrid red using extended spider that doesn't drop before Surety misses blue to right middle after slotting brilliant red. Groans palpable.

HIGGINS 4-5 SURETY (0-19)

Another poor safety shot by Higgins sticks up a red for Surety to get first poke at the balls in the frame he needs for victory. Only 19 though as a tough red to left centre eludes him after white runs to a side rail. Safety from Higgins to follow.

HIGGINS 4-5 SURETY (0-0)

Higgins breaks us off for the 10th frame of a possible 11. Higgins scrambling to stay afloat on a day when he has been well off it.

HIGGINS 3-5 SURETY (72-54)

Higgins making a clinical clearance of 72 to keep his hopes alive as rest is out and pink is drained. What a chance for Surety. Not taken. Will he get another one.

HIGGINS 3-5 SURETY (54-54)

Higgins back to two points behind before he nudges in the yellow to the green bag. A real pressure pot and this should be a done deal for the Scotsman.

HIGGINS 3-5 SURETY (37-54)

Higgins opening up the final few balls. What a chance then to extend this semi-final to a 10th frame. Surety dropping in a poor safety shot and could be punished.

HIGGINS 3-5 SURETY (6-54)

Higgins hanging on by a thread. Has been a poor day at office for him. Some superb long pots by Zak to reach 54 before he cashes in his chips to declare on 54. But he plays a poor safety shot and leaves John an easy red over a top bag. Real chance for Higgins to salvage this semi-final. But he has not been convincing in this match.

HIGGINS 3-5 SURETY (0-9)

Another poor safety shot by John early in this ninth frame. He looks disgusted with that one. Surety pokes in the red and lands on the pink. What is he going to make here? On the cusp of the final perhaps.

HIGGINS 3-5 SURETY (0-0)

Off we go then for the ninth frame of this semi-final. Higgins dropping in loose shots at the wrong time in the previous frame.

HIGGINS 3-4 SURETY (47-56)

Surety moves two up with a possible three frames to play. Higgins again slipping up in the key moment with a pretty dreadful shot on blue that left him awkward on long red. Surety stepped up to claim the frame for a 5-3 lead.

HIGGINS 3-4 SURETY (47-23)

Another long red by Higgins fails to drop after a poor positional shot off blue. Another opportunity handed to his opponent.

HIGGINS 3-4 SURETY (39-18)

Great plant on reds to left middle by Surety, but forced to play safe with pink and black tied up as white runs to side cushion. Surety with another chance as he drops in red to left centre. But he ends up knocking the white in off potting blue. A rueful glance at the table before Higgins clips in a long red.

HIGGINS 3-4 SURETY (29-0)

Only 29 from that visit by Higgins as tough brown off side rail doesn't drop. Surety returns to the table then. Not much of a deficit to recover from.

HIGGINS 3-4 SURETY (21-0)

Wonder if this match will be heading for a final frame? Has that sort of feel to it. Early safety error by Zak and John pounces with a fine cut on a red and blue to left middle. Looking to build a lead here.

HIGGINS 3-3 SURETY (18-81)

Higgins only makes 18 in response before he loses the white. Great chance gone as double kiss on red scuppers his chances of a third straight frame. Surety cans a long red to regain his lead at 4-3 as pink is down with red to leave the Scot needing several snookers.

HIGGINS 3-3 SURETY (4-64)

Fine red by Surety to left middle after Higgins tried and failed to land a red to yellow bag, but he misses red using rest. Another chance for Higgins to make the counterrargument here with six reds left up. Plenty of points still on the table.

HIGGINS 3-3 SURETY (0-56)

A rapid run of 56 from Surety before he loses the white and is forced to run safe. Decent lead, but not yet good enough to earn a 4-3 lead in the match.

HIGGINS 3-3 SURETY (0-33)

Dreadful safety shot by Higgins early in the seventh frame. Easy leave on an opening red for Surety to right middle, and he is quickly up and running up with this break. Black can pot to both top pockets. Ideal break-building opportunity.

HIGGINS 2-3 SURETY (94-6)

No century this time from Higgins, but 94 gets the job done every day of the week. We are back at 3-3 in this opening semi-final in Yushan. Higgins fighting the good fight after the break.

HIGGINS 2-3 SURETY (49-6)

Higgins seeing a pink creep into a middle bag. Wiped its feet before it dropped, but that could be the key to clearing up and level this match at 3-3. Not always in ideal position, but as long as the balls keep dropping. Which they have. Higgins finally joining the party with his scoring form.

HIGGINS 2-3 SURETY (28-6)

Fine shot by Higgins to slot a red and open up the pack before screwing back for the blue to left middle. Hit that with real authority. More reds are splashed out.

HIGGINS 2-3 SURETY (1-6)

Surety with a fine red and blue combo at outset of the sixth frame, but he then misses cutback red to a top pocket. Higgins given scope to make a quick return to the baize.

HIGGINS 1-3 SURETY (113-8)

Brilliant clearance of 113 from Higgins. Just when he needed it most. Some superb pots on yellow and green to middle pockets made to look easy. Back to 3-2 behind in Yushan. Game on.

HIGGINS 1-3 SURETY (62-1)

Brilliant piece of ball striking by John to power in a red and run around the angles for the blue. Surely he is going to see out his frame now as break reaches 61, the point he broke down in the previous frame.

HIGGINS 1-3 SURETY (36-1)

Vital for John to secure this frame with a dominant break you would suggest. Has not really been at the races for the first four frames by his own high standards.

HIGGINS 1-3 SURETY (15-1)

Another scoring chance for John after Zak misses black off spot. Rolled in a fine long red, but awkward pot on black and doesn't drop. Higgins given immediate chance to forget about losing the fourth frame.

HIGGINS 1-3 SURETY (0-0)

Probably a good time to get out of the arena for a bit after Higgins lost that fourth frame. Surety halfway to the winning post in this semi-final, but could easily have been 4-0.

HIGGINS 1-2 SURETY (61-71)

A 65 clearance from Surety sees him move 3-1 clear. Higgins should really be level at 2-2, but that is a huge steal. Higgins out of ideal position on the pink in making 61, and it costs him the frame.

HIGGINS 1-2 SURETY (61-44)

Down to the colours, and this is a golden chance for a 3-1 lead at the break.

HIGGINS 1-2 SURETY (61-23)

Well, Higgins somehow knocks in a red to left middle after slotting pink. That could be a major turning point. Nothing safe as Surety prepares to launch the counter punch.

HIGGINS 1-2 SURETY (52-0)

Would strongly fancy Higgins to put away this frame in one hit here. Has taken these balls supremely well. Much more like it from the four-time world champion.

HIGGINS 1-2 SURETY (16-0)

John with a decent piece of ball striking to prod in a red from distance. In goes pink to right middle. Is this the chance for Higgins to finally find some form out there? Was first to table in the first and second frames, but hasn't really cracked on with a hefty contribution.

HIGGINS 1-1 SURETY (2-87)

In goes the red Surety requires to see out the frame for a 2-1 lead after Higgins can't slot pink from a red. Can't say he hasn't deserved this lead. Higgins will need to find some form and quickly in this match. One more frame before the mid-session interval. World No. 89 playing the better snooker in this semi-final.

HIGGINS 1-1 SURETY (1-55)

Surety doing his work in bits and pieces at the moment. Heavy going in this frame, but almost over the winning line. Frame-ball red with the rest doesn't drop. Higgins can still win frame, but not a great table with two reds on side rail.

HIGGINS 1-1 SURETY (1-41)

Has been a real struggle for Higgins in this semi-final so far as another attempt at a long red eludes him. Surety with a corking red of his own before he lays up behind the yellow.

HIGGINS 1-1 SURETY (1-35)

The latest safety error by Higgins sees a red drift over a top bag. Surety with an easy opener. Black tied up, but 30 or 40 break here would be the order of the day.

HIGGINS 1-1 SURETY (1-15)

Another long red from John fails to drop in the pocket. Surety not being deprived of visits to the table in this match. Has had plenty of scope to score. And here is another one.

HIGGINS 1-1 SURETY (1-0)

Not sure either man is overly convincing out there. Still a feeling of tension in the air in this opening semi-final. Winner will face Ali Carter or Joe O'Connor in Saturday's big showpiece final.

HIGGINS 0-1 SURETY (67-64)

Higgins hits yellow in escaping from a snooker, but leaves Surety the chance of yellow. In goes green and brown, but Surety misses frame-ball blue to right centre. That could be a huge moment. Higgins steps in to mop up blue, pink and black. It is 1-1. A frame that could have gone either way, but Higgins snatches it on the black.

HIGGINS 0-1 SURETY (49-55)

Higgins twice fails to escape from a snooker and leaves a free ball, but Surety can't land on yellow off black. Chances then being spurned by both men on the colours.

HIGGINS 0-1 SURETY (49-45)

Superb shot on penultimate red by Zak with rest. Object ball trickles in, but he then misses the black off the spot. Bad miss and chance for Higgins to win frame, but he can't land on yellow from black. A reprieve for Surety, who is looking the more settled player at the moment.

HIGGINS 0-1 SURETY (41-30)

Higgins not striking the balls the way he would like at the moment, and Surety is back at the table here with a couple of solid pots on red and green from distance. Warming to the task here.

HIGGINS 0-1 SURETY (41-10)

Can only make six before he is forced to run safe back to baulk.

HIGGINS 0-1 SURETY (41-5)

But the Scotsman goes in off to right middle after potting red and trying to land on blue. Higgins not yet fully with it. Another poor safety shot by Higgins sticks up a red to a top pocket. Another chance presents itself to the underdog.

HIGGINS 0-1 SURETY (41-0)

Reaches 33 which is more than the 30 he broke down on in the opening frame. This one table set-up shows no signs of being anything other than receptive to solid scoring form.

HIGGINS 0-1 SURETY (25-0)

Excellent pot on a plant on reds by Higgins to gain access to the table. Now then. What is John going to unearth at this first visit of the second frame? Important that he lays down a marker himself you would suggest. Decent chance to restore parity at 1-1.

HIGGINS 0-0 SURETY (33-72)

Poor shot by Higgins and Surety takes out brown, blue and pink for a 1-0 lead. An impressive start by the world No. 89. First blood to the underdog.

HIGGINS 0-0 SURETY (33-57)

Brilliant pot on long red by Surety paves the way for Zak to leave John needing a snooker, but he misses the green to leave John a glimmer of hope. A lead of 27 points with 25 left up. Higgins needing a snooker.

HIGGINS 0-0 SURETY (30-49)

Can't land ideally on final red, but into a lead of 19 points as he plays a decent safety shot. Down to a safety duel on this final red to settle the frame you suspect.

HIGGINS 0-0 SURETY (30-41)

Surety bringing the scoring form that has seen him hit six centuries this week. Really is not hanging about out there. And into the lead. But can't drop in a tough blue to continue break. Leaves a long red for Higgins to attack. But he misses it by some distance.

HIGGINS 0-0 SURETY (30-0)

Only 30 from the fluke though as a red to green bag doesn't drop after Higgins had opened the pack off the blue. Big visit to the table for Surety here. His first of the match. What can he come up with?

HIGGINS 0-0 SURETY (15-0)

Higgins goes for a longish yellow after slotting an early red, but he misses the object ball by some distance only to fluke it into a top bag. Shake of the head, but on he goes with a nice red to right middle waiting for him. How big a fluke is that going to be? Yellow on the black spot.

HIGGINS 0-0 SURETY (0-0)

Off we go then for the first frame of a possible 11 in this semi-final. Surety gets the balls moving in the opening frame. Down to one table for these semi-final matches.

WHO IS LOWEST-RANKED PLAYER TO WIN A MAJOR TITLE?

Zak Surety will aim to become the lowest player to win a ranking title in 32 years at the World Open in Yushan. The world No. 89, who regained his professional tour card at Q School in 2022 after dropping off the main circuit, plays his first major semi-final against four-time world champion John Higgins, who is chasing his first ranking title victory since the Players Championship in 2021.