World Championship 2025: High drama as John Higgins sees frame snatched away when white drops after potting black against Xiao Guodong at the Crucible

The 2024/25 World Championship has delivered on the drama front so far, and there was plenty on offer in the last-16 match between John Higgins and Xiao Guodong at the Crucible on Friday afternoon. Higgins thought he had won the 14th frame but was denied in cruel fashion. Watch and stream top snooker action, including the World Championship, live and on demand on TNT Sports and discovery+.

John Higgins and Xiao Guodong played out a roller-coaster 14th frame during their last-16 clash at the World Championship, which went the way of the latter after Higgins potted the black only to see the white disappear as well.

Xiao arguably should have won the frame some time before he did, as he had control with Higgins requiring two snookers with only blue, pink and black on the table.

Higgins is a master of snatching frames from seemingly impossible situations, and he laid back-to-back snookers which Xiao failed to get out of.

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From needing two snookers, Higgins returned to the table knowing three pots would force a re-spot on the black.

Higgins steeled himself to knock in blue, pink and black, but that was only the start of the drama.

Xiao, in the words of Phil Yates on commentary for TNT Sports, "absolutely butchered that black. A terrible shot."

'It does not get any better than that' - Higgins keeps frame alive by laying back-to-back snookers

Video credit: TNT Sports

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It was no exaggeration, as Xiao’s effort was awful, and it presented Higgins with a tight clip into the yellow pocket.

The crowd erupted with delight as Higgins sank the black, but the eagle-eyed Joe Johnson on TNT Sports commentary had already spotted the danger.

"Wait for it," said Johnson.

The cheers turned to groans as the white made its inexorable path to the left corner.

"You cannot get your breath," said Yates. "It is all there in black and white, 7-7."

A disappearing white ball was the difference between an 8-6 lead and level terms for Higgins.

The pair will play to a finish on Saturday morning, live on TNT Sports and discovery+.

Higgins wins dramatic 12th frame against Xiao as both players miss chances on the black

Video credit: TNT Sports

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Watch and stream top snooker action, including the World Championship, live and on demand on TNT Sports and discovery+

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